TheNewsGuru

Tag: FCTA

  • FCT arrest 50 dispatch riders for alleged traffic violations

    FCT arrest 50 dispatch riders for alleged traffic violations

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says it has arrested no fewer than 50 dispatch riders for alleged traffic offences within the city centre in Abuja.

    Alhaji Wadata Bodinga, Director, Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) of the FCT Administration (FCTA), made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing newsmen shortly after displaying the seized motorcycles.

    Bodinga warned that the conduct and activities of dispatch riders in the city would no longer be tolerated by the FCTA and the motoring public.

    He disclosed that the directorate had received a lot of complaints about the conduct of some of the riders within the city and would no longer tolerate it.

    “We are here to parade the dispatch riders that we arrested for either riding against traffic in the city or beating the traffic lights.

    “As you may observe, the number of dispatch riders has increased within the city, probably because of the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging not only Abuja or Nigeria but the whole world.

    “Because of their door-to-door services, dispatch riders can actually help with errands of people that are staying at home to deliver some of their needs.

    “Just between Tuesday and today Wednesday, over 50 motorcycles and dispatch riders have been arrested for various offences.

    “They are the major culprits of beating of traffic lights and riding against traffic in the city which is not acceptable because they are trading with their own safety and the safety of other road users,” Bodinga said.

    He said that the FCTA had directed all the people arrested to go for emotional evaluation at a recognised hospital in the capital territory.

    The director said that the enforcement was a continuous one, adding that all the Area Commands had been directed to ensure that traffic rules and regulations were respected in the city.

    “This is Abuja and even where the traffic lights are not working, our men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force are there to ensure sanity.

    “People should be seen to, at least, obey the traffic lights in the territory and sadly, that is not the case when it comes to these dispatch riders as you can see the results of the operation,” he said.

    Bodinga disclosed that majority of them were not registered with the authority as dispatch riders as most of them were owned by individuals.

    He said that the culprits would be prosecuted at a mobile magistrate court, face compulsory two weeks training on traffic rules with formal letters from their various organisations.

    “For all the ones that have organisations, we have drafted a formal letter that we are going to send to their various companies and organisations, informing them of the conduct of their drivers.

    “And also, the need for them to bring even their other drivers for mandatory training to update them on traffic rules and regulations,” he said.

    He however, said the training was free but they would pay for their various penalties.

    Bodinga further said that after the training, the FCTA through the Transportation Secretariat, would issue them Abuja Riders Permit but it would be limited to only the areas that motorcycles were allowed to operate.

    In his remarks, Mr Ihkaro Attah, the Chairman, FCTA Ministerial Taskforce on Traffic Management, said dispatch riders who were allowed to operate in the city were already abusing the privilege.

    “They break traffic laws regularly and it has become a source of worry to the FCT Minister, Mr Bodinga and his men swung into action and clamped down on them.

    “We give the directorate pass mark for clamping down on these violators and some vehicles here are also involved.

    “They will be going through psychiatric tests to ascertain if they are normal because if something is not wrong with them they must be wrong with something,” he added.

  • FCTA restricts weddings, concerts, others to 50 persons

    FCTA restricts weddings, concerts, others to 50 persons

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says all informal and formal events including weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties concert and others in the territory are restricted to not more than 50 persons.

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, made the announcement in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anthony Ogunleye on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Bello explained that the measure was part of resolution of an emergency COVID-19 meeting to contain the spread of the second wave of the pandemic in the territory.

    He added that the meeting was informed that the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF) in its briefing, had described the FCT as one of the epicenters in this second wave.

    According to the minister, the reason for the surge was attributed to the lack of compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions by residents especially facial coverings in public, physical distancing and hand hygiene.

    ” Consequently, all bars, night clubs, pubs, events and recreational venues in the FCT are to remain closed for the next five weeks.

    ” All restaurants, except those providing services to hotel residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins are to remain closed.

    “All informal and formal festivity events including weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, end of year events etc in the FCT are restricted to not more than 50 persons.

    ” Similarly, facilities for religious events are restricted to less than 50 per cent of capacity of use during which physical distancing; mandatory use of face masks and hand hygiene are to be strictly enforced.”

    Bello said that events of more than 50 persons are to be held outdoors only and virtual meetings are strongly encouraged.

    The minister also said that public transportation systems are to carry passengers not more than 50 per cent of their capacity in compliance with social distancing rules.

    He noted that all employees of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the six Area Councils of the FCT on Grade Level 12 and below are to work from home for the next five weeks.

    He directed heads of the various Secretariats, Departments and Agencies to be responsible for compliance, adding that all schools in the FCT are to remain on vacation until January 18, 2021.

    The minister stated that all non-essential travels within and outside the FCT are highly discouraged and residents above 60 years old with comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes are strongly advised to remain indoors.

    Bello urged the Abuja Market Management Ltd. and the various market associations to work together to ensure compliance of all the guidelines on facial coverings, hand hygiene and physical distancing.

    He warned that the FCT Administration would not hesitate to close down any market or business premises found in contravention of these guidelines.

    ” As resolved in its stakeholders meeting held on Dec. 14, the FCT Administration remains committed to enforcing all COVID-19 guidelines as issued.

    ” Enforcement teams have been mandated to carry out the arrest of violators and prosecute them through the mobile courts system,” Bello said.

    The minister enjoined residents to comply fully with all health and safety protocols to help curtail the spread of the virus in the FCT.

  • FCTA orders closure of Millennium Park over COVID-19

    FCTA orders closure of Millennium Park over COVID-19

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says the Millennium Recreation Park in Maitama District will remain closed to social activities throughout the yuletide period due to COVID-19.

    Mr Ikharo Attah, Chairman, FCT Ministerial Task Team on Enforcement of COVID-19, made the disclosure during a meeting with the Association of Abuja Park Operators in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Millennium Recreational Park is the largest public park in the Federal Capital City that attracts social activities.

    The park, which is located within the environment of Maitama District of the nation’s capital city, has been under restrictions in the wake of COVID-19.

    The chairman of the FCT Ministerial Task Team on Enforcement of COVID-19 explained that the decision of the FCT Administration to close the park was part of measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the city.

    According to him, due to a likely second wave of the pandemic, the park which is the epicenter of social gathering during festivities will not be left open to the public during yuletide.

    Attah said that the park which usually experienced uncontrollable crowd during festivities could worsen the situation for residents, in view of the ravaging pandemic.

    He directed operators of parks in Abuja to observe all COVID-19 precautionary health protocols, otherwise face the mobile court that would sit even on Christmas Day.

    Earlier, Mrs Riskatu Abdulazeeze, the Director, FCT Department of Parks and Recreation, said that any park that violated the health protocols, would risk being sealed off, or outright revocation of the lease.

    Abdulazeeze also noted that an enforcement team had started operations to ensure compliance.

    She urged operators of recreational parks to adopt “no face mask no entry” rules.

    Responding, one of the park operators, Mrs Smart Saheed who represented Eden Garden at the meeting, assured that members of the association had resolved to also constitute a compliance taskforce to boost efforts of FCT Administration.

  • Kubwa residents defy FCTA orders, hold #EndSARS protests

    Kubwa residents defy FCTA orders, hold #EndSARS protests

    …gridlock from Dutse
    …as residents trek home

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    Despite the order by the Federal Capital Territory Authority, FCTA that #EndSARS protesters not to protest in the capital city, protests on Saturday rocked Kubwa, Abuja satellite town.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports that the #EndSARS protests is graduating into satellite towns despite FCTA’s order banning protests.

    Due to the EndSARS protest, vehicular movement into Kubwa from Dutse another satellite town was choked as residents had to trek home.

    The protesters started trooping into Kubwa at about 2pm as this led to gridlock on Gado Nasko road that links the Kubwa Zuba express road.

    As at the time TNG filed in this report it’s still a no movement situation as police men watch the protesters from a reasonable distance.

  • #EndSARS: FCTA bans protests in Abuja

    #EndSARS: FCTA bans protests in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Security Committee has banned #EndSARS demonstrations in Abuja, for alleged violation of COVID-19 protocol violations.

    The FCT Administration said it was concerned that despite the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, last Sunday, the protests had continued, causing hardship to law-abiding citizens.

    The resolutions of the meeting were contained in a statement on Wednesday titled,’COVID-19: FCT Security Committee prohibits street demonstrations,’ signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT minister, Mr Anthony Ogunleye.

    The meeting which held on Tuesday to review the security situation in the FCT and address identified challenges, was coordinated by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello and had in attendance the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, heads of the various security agencies and military formations in the FCT, senior members of staff of the FCTA, representatives of religious and traditional institutions as well as Area Council chairmen.

    The statement read, “While the committee recognizes the rights of citizens as regards freedom of association and movement as enshrined in the constitution, it has observed that the unruly conduct of the crowd and manner of demonstrations are in complete violation of the COVID-19 safety protocols which were put in place to safeguard the lives of citizens.

    “These violations endanger the lives of not just the demonstrators, but also other citizens going about their legitimate concerns.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the COVID-19 guidelines regulating public gatherings recommend physical distancing, temperature checks, the use of facial coverings, amongst others.

    “Clearly, all these guidelines were flouted by the protesters. Consequently, the committee directs that due to the dangers posed by COVID-19, all street demonstrations, protests and processions will not be allowed anywhere within the FCT.”

    The committee agreed with satisfaction the directive by the President, Muhammadu Buhari to the IGP to disband the SARS as well as other reforms aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the Nigeria Police.

     

  • FCTA demolishes 2,400 “Ruga” settlements

    FCTA demolishes 2,400 “Ruga” settlements

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Tuesday began the demolition of 2,400 shanties in the Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) settlements located at Kukwuaba- Wuye District along the corridor leading to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 1,000 shacks were removed during the exercise carried out under heavy security presence by FCTA Department of Development Control.

    Director of the Department, Malam Muktar Galadima, said the exercise was to checkmate security challenges posed by threat of Boko Haram and kidnapping and bring orderliness and sanitation to the nation’s capital city.

    Galadima explained that apart from security threats to Abuja, the shanties were becoming serious environmental hazard within the railway corridors and it must not be allowed to continue.

    He promised that the exercise would be sustained with weekly monitoring to ensure that occupants of the affected shanties do not reassemble.

    According to him, the illegal squatters are notorious of defying the laws, and disregarding government orders.

    ” This is in continuation of implementation of the FCT mandate of the Next Level by ensuring that we checkmate the issue of security challenges as well as bringing orderliness and sanitation to the nation’s capital city environment.

    ” So far, we have cleared over 1000 shanties (temporary structures made of batchers and sacks. The work is ongoing, so we will continue till the end.

    ” We had series of consultation with them, because in the spirit of the current administration, we don’t just move in, we do some engagement and consultations.

    ” So that the people would be fully aware. And that is what we have done with the community here.

    The Chairman, FCT Task Force on City Sanitation, Mr Ikharo Attah, said the “RUGA” was growing too fast and becoming notorious for rape and other crimes.

    “From my own assessment, what will eventually go here will be about 2,400 structures because even as at today, the bulldozers are still working.

    ” It is really painful, but the displaced persons should understand that the city centre is not for everybody; they should go to the suburbs,” Attah said.

    Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the FCT Minister, Mr Ahmed Rasheed, said that security assessment claimed that 90 per cent of the crimes perpetrated in Wuye and Kukwuaba districts were traced to the shanties settlement.

    Rasheed said it was resolved after due diligence from all the security agencies, that if the ruga was removed everybody within the area, would be secured.

    He also said some months ago, some people from the shanties attacked and broke four window glasses of a train on test running on the rail corridor.

    ” It is good for us (FCTA) to remove the shanties to make sure that the railway corridor is safe and people in Wuye and Kukwuaba Districts and the whole city at large.

    ” The Director, Development Control Department has set up a team to do a follow-up cleaning, which on a daily routine, in conjunction with security agencies, so that this kind of illegal settlement will not come up again.

    ” This is the best approach for security control of a city like Abuja,” Rasheed said.

    Reacting to the operation, Secretary to the Chief of the Ruga Community, Usman Abubakar, conceded they could not question the relevant authority from demolishing the structures in the settlement.

    Abubakar, however, pleaded with the government to consider them as Nigerian citizens, and assist them to stop slums from thriving having been living on the settlement for more than 25 years.

    “We will be satisfied if government can give us a small land in this Abuja, so that we will occupy and settle down.

    ” Considering that our children especially youth and our women are living here, but now many of us have nowhere to go from here.

    ” We are pleading with the government to consider helping us, because the incident has affected at least 500 households,” Abubakar said.

  • FCTA demolishes mega store in Abuja community

    FCTA demolishes mega store in Abuja community

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday demolished a Mega-Store in Dawaki Relocation Scheme of Abuja, for allegedly failing structural integrity test.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FCTA officials who were accompanied by a combined team of security operatives stormed the area and pulled down the structure attached to the site of the collapsed uncompleted building.

    NAN correspondent who was at the scene of the demolition, observed that the owner of the store was allowed to evacuate wares before the building was reduced to rubbles.

    No casualties were reported in the process.

    Addressing newsmen, the Director of FCTA Development Control Department, Malam Muktar Galadima, explained that the demolition was neccessitated by the recent unfortunate building collapse incident that claimed lives.

    He said the department received a distress calls from residents of the area that the developer had gone back to site, and it’s even selling items within the building.

    ” If we don’t do anything very promptly, another disaster will occur.

    “It would have been unfortunate on our part. We are being proactive to avert any of such unfortunate incident that might occur,” Galadima said.

    The director said that developer and operators of the store were duly notified about the demolition before the enforcement of today.

    He also said that the department adhere to due process by conducting integrity test on the building, which the result of the test indicated that the structure failed the test .

    “As a result of that, in order to forestall any future reoccurrence , we had to move in and remove the standing structure,” he said.

  • Lawmaker condemns demolition of FCT community

    Lawmaker condemns demolition of FCT community

    Mr Micah Jiba, the lawmaker representing AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, has kicked against the demolition of an FCT community, Akpanjiya, by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA)’s Development Control.

    Jiba who is also the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Area Councils And Auxiliary Matters, expressed his displeasure over the development when he visited the demolished community on Sunday morning.

    The lawmaker said the demolition, which he alleged that due process was not followed, had rendered thousands of natives and residents of FCT homeless, adding that it was not in the interest of the people.

    “This community I am aware, has never objected to the issue of resettlement and compensation, and I am also aware that the process and negotiations are ongoing and have not been completed.

    “I must say that the department of resettlement and compensation should be called to order, because it is really unfortunate that we are witnessing this kind of pathetic situation in Akpanjiya community.

    “If they want this people moved immediately to Apo resettlement, they should be given a convenient time and proper compensation to make their movement easy, but that has not been done.

    “As the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on FCT Area Councils Committee and Auxiliary Matters, we are going to set up a panel to investigate the matter,” he said.

    Jiba, who could not hide his tears at the sight of the stranded natives, questioned why such action would be taken without first consulting the stakeholders in his constituency.

    He stressed that the FCT administration and other stakeholders, should have a synergy on matters that bordered on the lives and property of natives.

    However, Malam Muktar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, while briefing newsmen after the demolition on Saturday, explained that the community had been marked for demolition since January this year.

    Galadima said that prior to the demolition, the FCTA, through its relevant agencies, interfaced with residents of the settlement on the need for them to vacate the area.

    According to him, the area falls under the corridor of the planned Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), and on one of the road interchanges linking Oladipo Diya Road, which is an arterial road with OSEX.

    Also, Malam Nasiru Suleiman, Deputy Director, Planning and Resettlement, Department of Resettlement and Compensation, said that 131 houses and 169 plots were given as compensation to the affected persons in the community.

    Suleiman said that the FCT administration had also provided a plot of land for the community’s Chief for housing, comprehensive development and commercial purposes.

    He said that most of the affected individuals had already moved to Apo Resettlement Scheme quarters, adding that it was only a few of them that were yet to relocate.

    He further explained that the policy of the Federal Capital City (FCC), was to resettle all the indigenous people affected by the demolition.

    On his part, Malam Baba Lawan, the Director of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), said that the village constituted an environmental nuisance and monumental waste generation entity.

    Contributing, the Director, FCT Department of Security Services, Malam Adamu Gwary, noted that the village also served as a hideout for criminals where stolen property, including cars, were taken to.

  • FCTA demolishes 134 houses in Abuja

    FCTA demolishes 134 houses in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Saturday demolished 134 houses at Apo Akpmajenya indigenous community, to pave way for the construction of a major road network in the area.

    The exercise was coordinated by the FCT Task Force on City Sanitation, under the leadership of Mr Ikharo Attah.

    Briefing newsmen shorty after the exercise, Malam Muktar Galadima, the Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, explained that the community had been marked for demolition since January.

    Galadima said that prior to the demolition, the FCTA, through its relevant agencies, interfaced with the inhabitants of the settlement on the need for them to vacate the area.

    He said that the area fell under the corridor of the planed Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX).

    He said the community fell on one of the road interchanges linking Oladipo Diya Road, which is an arterial road with the outer southern expressway.

    Also, Malam Nasir Suleiman, Deputy Director, Planning and Resettlement, Department of Resettlement and Compensation, said 131 houses and 169 plots were given as compensation to the affected persons.

    Suleiman said that the FCT administration had provided a plot of land for the community Chief’s house, comprehensive development and commercial plots.

    He said that most of the affected individuals had already moved to Apo Resettlement Scheme quarters, adding that a few of them had yet to move.

    He further explained that the policy of the Federal Capital City (FCC) was to resettle all the indigenous people affected by the demolition.

    On his part, Malam Baba Lawan, the Director of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), said that the village constituted an environmental nuisance and monumental waste generation entity.

    Lawan added that on daily basis, trucks of waste generated from the village were carted away to the central dump site.

    According to him, about 80 percent of activities going on in the village are commercial because the place is not a traditional Gbagi village.

    “The village is now occupied by commercial people who are mainly traders and they generate lots of waste and those wastes are deposited even on the road,” he said.

    He said the Akpmajenya village also caused traffic gridlock on the axis due to its location around Oladipo Diya road and Apo Mechanic Village road junction.

    Contributing, the Director, FCT Department of Security Services, Malam Adamu Gwary, noted that the village also served as a hideout for criminals where stolen property, including cars, were taken to.

    Gwary used the occasion to reiterate the determination of the FCT administration to continue to provide adequate security for lives and property in the territory.

  • FCTA threatens to shut GTB over COVID-19 protocol violation

    FCTA threatens to shut GTB over COVID-19 protocol violation

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has threatened to seal some Guarantee Trust Bank branches in Abuja for non-adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols in their operations.

    Chairman of the FCTA Enforcement Team on COVID-19, Mr Ikharo Attah, issued the warning to the management of the bank at Area 3 during a monitoring exercise on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Attah also issued a 24 hour ultimatum to the three affected branches of the bank in Areas 3 and 11 as well as the Central Business District, to put the necessary COVID-19 safety measures in place for their customers.

    The chairman said that the lives of customers were being endangered at the bank’s premises through non observance of physical distancing and failure to provide canopies and chairs for customers.

    Attah, therefore, called for the setting up of hand washing facilities at the bank’s entry points.

    “This particular bank is not observing Covid-19 safety protocol at all. There is only one thermometer for this large crowd,” Attah said.

    He added that he had been at that particular branch more than four times and had usually met a large crowd.

    He added that it had failed to organise its customers in view of social distancing regulations.

    “There was no social distancing and most of them (customers) are not even wearing facial masks. The bank should provide canopy, chairs, and hand washing points.

    “We are giving them 24 hours to get all these things in place or risk being sealed. It will not cost up to N100,000.

    “They should take the lives of their customers very seriously. Their customers should be treated with utmost dignity. I give them 24 hours.”