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Tag: FCTA

  • School resumption: FCTA vows to address challenges in schools

    School resumption: FCTA vows to address challenges in schools

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has promised to address challenges affecting the delivery of primary and secondary education in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

    The Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, Dr Danlami Hayyo, gave the assurance after a visit to some secondary schools in Abuja on Monday, to monitor resumption of academic activities for the second term.

    Hayyo said that the objective of the monitoring tour was to identify challenges affecting schools with a view to effectively address them.

    He said that the secretariat had taken note of all the problems being faced by the schools, adding that the secretariat would consult with the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for prompt action.

    “Education is one of the key priority areas of this Administration and Wike had promised to give special attention to the sector.

    “That is why in the 2023 budget, the sum of N13.1 billion was approved for renovations, construction, and provision of chairs and furniture for schools in the FCT.

    “This is very encouraging”, he stated.

    He expressed satisfaction with the students’ and teachers’ turnout on the first day of resumption of academic activities in schools. The turnout is encouraging.

    “I expected to see a low attendance rate considering the Christmas and New Year break, since a lot of students traveled with their families out of Abuja, but fortunately for us, almost all the students are back and are ready for learning.

    “The teachers have resumed work and are ready to work. The students are also in school and ready for learning,” he said.

    The mandate secretary urged teachers to live up to expectations, adding that underperforming school administrators would be replaced with competent ones.

    Some of the schools visited included Government Science and Technical College, Area 3, Government Secondary School, Tundun-Wada and Glisten Group of Schools, Jahi, among others.

  • Abuja vehicle papers forgery hub busted

    Abuja vehicle papers forgery hub busted

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished a mini market allegedly being used in publishing forged vehicle papers and other documents.

    The market, located in Mabushi, opposite the headquarters of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), FCTA, was demolished on Wednesday, by the Department of Development Control, FCTA.

    The Director, Dr Abdulatef Bello, told journalists after the exercise, that the market had been infiltrated by fraudulent merchants who collaborated with dubious government officials to produce fake vehicle papers and number plates.

    Bello said that several intelligent reports have exposed the illegal activities being perpetrated in the market.

    Displaying some of the vehicle’s papers and number plates impounded by DRTS officials, Bello described the development as a “serious leakage” to FCT’s revenue.

    He added that the illegal activities in the area were threatening the safety of motorists and residents in the area.

    The director warned motorists against patronising roadside officials for vehicle registration.

    “We have observed over a long period of time, this particular building harbours illegal activities like piracy and other criminal activities.

    “We have been making efforts to bust their activities and today, fate has caught up with them and the buildings are brought down.

    “The demolition team has been able to uncover so many of our documents that have been pirated by the criminals,” he said.

    Bello said that some of the vehicles that were registered with fake documents would be very difficult for the DRTS officials to track.

    “The camera will pick them, but because they are not registered, it will be difficult for us to track, and these are the kind of vehicles they use for criminal activities in territory,” he added.

    Mr Alexander Owobi, who claimed to be the manager of the open space property where business centres operate in the market complained that the business owners were given enough time to evacuate their valuables.

    Owobi, a legal practitioner, also said that he was not aware that criminal elements had invaded the place, noting that no security agency had shared such information with him.

  • FCTA to review security in FCT – Official

    FCTA to review security in FCT – Official

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it has concluded plans to review the security architecture in the federal capital, Abuja.

    The Director, Department of Security Service, FCTA, Mr Adamu Gwary, stated this during end-of-year media briefing in Abuja on Sunday.

    Gwary said that plans had also reached advanced stages to revive the G-7 security initiative and expand its number of security informants to include artisans and farmers among others.

    He explained that the use of informants and vigilante groups for information and intelligence gathering, were part of community policing of the FCT Administration.

    This, according to him, will ensure that the capital city remains safe and secured.

    The director added that the FCTA have banned begging and hawking within the secretariat as part of efforts to ensure security.

    He also said that the FCTA has concluded plans to float an effective transportation system to address the menace of one chance operators in the capital city.

    “We are working assiduously behind the scenes to maintain security in the nation’s capital, including keeping peace between herders and farmers.

    “We are also working with relevant agencies in preventing vandalisation of public utilities,” he said.

    He said the FCT Administration has completed the installation of CCTV cameras around its secretariat in phase I of the programme, adding that the phase II would involve installation in strategic areas of the city.

    This, according to him, will enable security agencies to monitor, arrest and prosecute criminals.

    He called on residents to be security conscious and report any suspicious happenings to nearby Police stations.

    Gwary equally charged tradition leaders to adhere to the code of conduct guiding the traditional institutions, disclosing that a traditional chief was arrested for his involvement in kidnapping.

    He added that the chief has been stripped of his title and handed over for prosecution.

    He decried the weak legal structures in the FCT, which he said was negatively affecting adjudication and punishment of lawbreakers and criminals.

  • FCTA terminates services of taxi ranks and terminals operators

    FCTA terminates services of taxi ranks and terminals operators

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has terminated the services of the operators of taxi ranks and terminals for failing all terms and conditions of their engagement.

    The Mandate Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, FCTA, Mr Ubokutom Nyah, announced the termination during a stakeholders’ meeting with the terminals and taxi ranks managers in Abuja on Thursday.

    Nyah explained that having failed all the terms and conditions of their engagement, the FCTA was left with no option but to terminate their engagement.

    He directed them to hand over the ranks to the Administration within three months, beginning from Nov. 21.

    He decried the infiltration of illegal motor parks within the city and expressed the readiness of the Administration to provide the capital city with befitting taxi ranks and terminals.

    He disclosed that a visit to the taxi ranks, terminals and illegal motor parks in the city has provided him with firsthand information on the ugly state of the facilities.

    According to him, Abuja, being the federal capital city, deserves better, adding that the state of the facilities attracts all kinds of criminal elements.

    “We must rid Abuja of all these.

    “I have gone round the taxi ranks, and of all the places I visited, not one is worthy to be called even a village motor park.”

    The mandate secretary explained that the action was not meant to punish them but to reposition the sector, bring new terms of engagement and provide the federal capital with modern taxi ranks and terminals.

    This, according to him, will increase the number of the terminals and ranks where necessary, and improve the revenue profile for the administration.

    He, however, said that the administration would still consider the operators that have the capacity to develop the taxi ranks and terminals in line with the new vision.

    Nyah said that the FCTA has concluded plans to rehabilitate and revamp taxi ranks and terminals to a standard befitting the federal capital.

    He said that the measure was part of efforts to rid Abuja of illegal motor parks and the criminalities associated with them.

    Responding, the Operator of Jahi Taxi Rank, Mr Adebisi Lawal, commended the administration’s move to modernise the taxi ranks and terminals.

    Lawal appealed to the administration to give due consideration to the current operators in the choice of new developers.

  • FCTA demolishes popular ‘panteka’ market at Apo-Dutse

    FCTA demolishes popular ‘panteka’ market at Apo-Dutse

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished a popular ‘panteka’ (scavengers) market at Apo-Dutse, Abuja, and cleared surrounding shanties in the area.

    Speaking to journalists after the exercise in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, the Director, Development Control, FCTA, said the demolition was the second in the area within the year.

    Galadima explained that the panteka was one of the biggest scraps, used, and new items market in Abuja city.

    He explained that the measure was part of efforts to rid the area of criminals to ensure maximum security in the nation’s capital.

    He said that the demolition became necessary following several complaints from residents of the area over security threats posed by the activities of the panteka operators.

    The director reiterated the department’s resolve to clean up Abuja city and ensure that all developments were in line with the Abuja Master Plan.

    He advocated the formalisation of the panteka operators in the FCT considering their environmental and economic benefits.

    “This is part of the direction of the new FCT Administration in ensuring that everything we do should have an element of tax.

    “This will ensure that people contribute to the development and management of the city.

    “I am also an advocate of integrating the informal sector because they contribute a huge percentage to the national economy,” he added.

    Galadima said that his team would visit other areas with similar challenges for cleanup.

    Earlier, the Secretary, FCTA Command and Control, FCTA, Mr Peter Olumuji disclosed that manhole covers and cables were some of the items recovered in the demolished market.

    Others, he said, included stolen vehicle parts and number plates, among others.

    Olumuji added that other criminal activities like rape were common occurrences in the area.

    Some residents of the area also advocated for the formalisation of the panteka market across the city to curtail security threats.

    One of them, Mr Umar Salis, urged the government to designate a specific location for the operators to carry out their businesses in a formal and organised manner.

    The Chairman of the Apo-Dutse Panteka Union, Mr Sagir Garba, also appealed to the government to formalise their operations to enable them carry out their businesses legally and without fear.

    Garba said that with over 18,000 members, they would contribute to the economic development of the city.

  • FCTA to revoke houses converted for other uses

    FCTA to revoke houses converted for other uses

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has approved the withdrawal and revocation of houses sold to individuals by the FCT Administration but converted to other uses.

    Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

    Galadima recalled that the Federal Government in 2005 initiated the monetisation programme because of the cost of maintaining the houses.

    He explained that the houses were sold to the occupiers so that they could maintain them.

    He, however, said that after some time, some of the beneficiaries converted the houses from residential to other uses.

    This, according to him, constitutes so much burden in terms of city administration and management that this administration felt it cannot condone any longer.

    “It is on this note that the minister has approved and directed that all owners of such properties should revert the use of the properties to its original and designated land use which is residential.

    “Failing to comply with this directive as from Nov. 1, the house is considered as revoked.

    “We are given such persons and individuals to the end of October to revert to original uses, otherwise from Nov. 1, they should consider such properties as revoked and returned to FCTA,” he said.

    The director said that so far, the department has recorded more than 111 cases of land use conversion in respect of the sold houses, cutting across all the districts of the capital city.

    He added that owners of the properties have been informed and given notices to revert to the original land uses but failed to comply.

    According to him, once these houses are revoked the FCTA will decide the next line of action.

    “The minister has also directed that owners of properties, particularly along major streets that have converted their properties to other uses without approval should either revert to original use or pay contravention charges.

    “Anyone that fails to comply with such a directive, the administration will take appropriate action, which may include revocation.

    “It is on this note that we felt it wise to inform the public of the decision and directive of the FCT Administration with regards to the indiscriminate conversion of land uses in FCT.

    “This is done to maintain the sanctity of the Abuja Master Plan.”

  • FCTA audits Abuja satellite towns, lifts ban on building plan approval

    FCTA audits Abuja satellite towns, lifts ban on building plan approval

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced a post-development audit of satellite towns in Abuja, to generate an efficient database for sustainable city development.

    Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Development Control, FCTA, said at the commencement of the exercise at Dawaki Satellite town, on Tuesday, that the audit would focus on buildings that were developed with approvals and those without approvals.

    Galadima said that the audit marked the resumption of processing and granting of building plan approvals in Abuja satellite towns.

    He explained that the FCTA had earlier stopped granting building plan approvals due to the lack of engineering designs in some of the satellite towns.

    “Satellite towns like Dawaki, where we are starting now, would begin to have engineering design.

    “So, we are commencing the post development audit so that those that built without approvals can now be assessed and be granted approvals if qualified.

    “There are over 15 satellite towns like Gwagwalada, Kuje, Karshi, Bwari, Abaji among others, and we want to cover all the Satellite towns,” he said.

    On the methodology, the director said that the satellite towns were divided into clusters with staff assigned to specific clusters.

    Galadima added that the staff would explain to the owners of properties in the satellite towns the modalities, the essence of the exercise and how they can benefit from it.

    He said that owners of landed properties in the areas would be expected to submit requisite information and documents within 21 days for necessary actions in line with the provisions of the extant laws.

    “In FCT, you cannot build without approval. So, if you have built without approval, furnish us with necessary information within the stipulated time.

    “If it is something that can be done, we can approve it as built, but if it is something that we cannot approve, we will remove it,” he said.

    Galadima said that the audit was critical to developing the needed data base of developments taking place in the city, in terms of services to be rendered and other perimeters.

    “This includes research on the process of developing a new capital city and at the end of the day, it is going to boost our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile.

    “We have already improved on our approval granting processes,” he said.

    In a related development, the development control team visited the site of the demolished scavengers’ colony along the road corridor that cut across Mabushi, Jahi and Kado Districts.

    Mr Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT had on Oct.10 directed that the colony be demolished to address some recurring security concerns.

    Galadima said that the minister had also directed that trees in the area covering about two kilometres should also be cleared and the scavengers dislodged.

    He said that the FCTA was taking an inventory of all the plots around the road corridor, so as to get in touch with their owners for them to show presence.

    One of the landowners along the corridor in Mabushi, Mr Kayode Olumudeji, commended FCTA for clearing the area

    He said, “Nobody believed that this place would look like this. I am very happy, and I want to believe that everybody that has property here will be very happy.

    “We are happy with what Wike is doing. This is what we want to see in the FCT.”

  • BREAKING: Tinubu makes fresh appointment

    BREAKING: Tinubu makes fresh appointment

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi as the Mandate Secretary for the newly created Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Tinubu approved the appointment of Mrs. Benjamins-Laniyi as the Mandate Secretary for the newly created Women Affairs Secretariat of the FCTA on Monday.

    Benjamins-Laniyi, a seasoned entrepreneur, is a former Senate aspirant and one of Nigeria’s most recognized and sought-after Master of Ceremony (MC).

    According to information publicly available on her official LinkedIn profile, she has a background spanning media, events management, entrepreneurship, hospitality, culture and tourism and entertainment.

    The pioneer Mandate Secretary for the newly created Women Affairs Secretariat of the FCTA has planned and masterfully executed a number of high profile events locally and internationally.

    Confirming the appointment, Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press, Office of the Minister of the FCT in a statement disclosed Benjamins-Laniyi would play a pivotal role in the FCTA’s commitment to promoting the well-being and empowerment of women and children in the Federal Capital Territory.

    He expressed optimism that her appointment would further strengthen the formidable administrative team led by Wike and the Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud.

    Ogunleye added that Benjamins-Laniyi, born in 1965 from Ogun, was appointed for her exemplary qualifications and dedication to public service.

    “With over 35 years of experience as a communications consultant, social entrepreneur, international mentor, and environmentalist, Mrs Benjamins-Laniyi would bring a wealth of knowledge to her new role.

    “She attended Queens College, Lagos, for her secondary school education and a 1989 graduate of English from the University of Ibadan.

    “She has made significant contributions to society as a prominent compere and renowned motivational speaker.

    “Her passion for social issues, particularly those affecting women and children, is evident in her remarkable work.

    “She has also showcased her commitment to women’s political participation by aspiring for a senatorial position in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022,” he said.

    Ogunleye added that as the Grand Matron of “Hope Again for FCT Women in Politics”, Benjamins-Laniyi had played a vital role in encouraging and mentoring women in the political arena.

    According to him, her deep understanding of the political landscape and her ability to navigate complex policy challenges will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of women’s rights and well-being in the FCT.

  • Fuel Subsidy Removal: FCTA begins distribution of palliatives to residents

    Fuel Subsidy Removal: FCTA begins distribution of palliatives to residents

    As part of efforts to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy in the country the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday, commenced the distributions of palliatives to poor and vulnerable residents of the territory.

    FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, who performed the initial distribution of over 17,222 bags of rice, and 8,400 bags of maize on behalf of the Administration, assured residents that every deserving family in the six area councils and 17 chiefdoms of the FCT will receive the palliative items free of charge.

    Mahmoud added that aside from the provided food items which would be released in stages, the government was exploring other avenues to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.

    “There is no doubt that the policy has had a ripple effect on transportation, inflation, and an overall burden on the citizenry.

    “It is in the realisation of these challenges that the Federal Government has been taking several measures to bring succour to Nigerians, amongst which is the release of assorted food items from the National Strategic Reserve for urgent distribution to Nigerians.

    “We will ensure that every deserving family in the FCT receives these items free of charge”, the minister said.

    She called on the residents to exercise prudence in their daily lives, noting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, was committed to implementing measures to stabilize prices, encourage economic growth, and promote the prosperity and well-being of citizens.

    She, however, urged beneficiaries to use the food items wisely and endeavour to share with those who were most in need, stressing that the President was making efforts to reposition the economy to win the war against hunger and become self-sufficient in food production.

    On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, who was represented by the Director of Operations, Planning and Strategy, Mr Samuel Attang, said the administration, working with other relevant arms, had put in place measures to monitor the distribution of the essential food items, to ensure that they reached targeted beneficiaries in all of the area councils.

    Similarly, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Lawan Geidam, said the secretariat would take the distribution of the palliative items very seriously, by ensuring that the palliatives reach all those for whom they were intended.

    “The secretariat has put in place an efficient and transparent distribution system to ensure that the process is fair, equitable, and devoid of any form of favouritism or discrimination”

    Geidam also commended what he described as the “tremendous efforts” of Nigerian farmers, in ensuring a steady supply of food despite challenges, stating that their hard work, dedication, and resilience had no doubt played a crucial role in cushioning the effects of the economic situation in the country.

    As we move ahead in the task of delivering the dividends of democracy, I am optimistic that the commitment, dedication and vision that have been demonstrated by the new FCT leadership, will pave the way for a transformative era that will bring forth self-sufficiency in food production,” he added.
  • Just In: Many allegedly injured as FCTA crushes over 470 okada

    Just In: Many allegedly injured as FCTA crushes over 470 okada

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Joint Task Force impounded and destroyed 470 motorcycles operating at Gosa village along Airport Road, Abuja.

    It was gathered that attempts by the motorcyclists to keep their motorcycles from being impounded led to a violent clash between them and security operatives.

    The task force was said to have stormed the community in a raid on Thursday as security operatives engaged them in a speed chase as okada operators fled into different directions to avoid being arrested.
    No fewer than 470 motorcycles were said to have been impounded in an exercise that started from the popular car wash bus stop in Lugbe, combing through Gosa, Bill Clinton drive, Trademore Estate, Lugbe junction as well as the Kubwa and its environs.

    It was learnt that several teargas canisters were shot by a combined team of personnel from the DRTS, Police, Civil Defence, DSS, and the Military to repel the irate motorcyclists who pelted the task force in the process with stones.

    Many of them sustained varying degrees of injuries while others were arrested.

    The Secretary Transportation Secretariat, Nya Ubokutom while addressing newsmen before the seized motorcycles were crushed at Area 1 round about, warned commercial motorcyclists to strictly limit their operations to the areas designated for them.

    He further explained that the Administration’s desire to develop a smart city devoid of all sorts of pollution cannot be achieved if illegalities are allowed to pervade the Federal Capital City.

    Also, the Director, FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Dr Abdulateef Bello said apart from the City Centre, commercial motorcyclists are not allowed to operate on any of the territory’s highways stating that the administration is determined to rid the entire FCT roads of okada operators.

    He, however, warned that one of the strategies to be deployed towards eliminating commercial motorcyclists from FCT roads is arresting passengers who patronise the business.

    Similarly, food vendors and passers-by took to their heels at Galadimawa round about on sightings the intimidating joint task force team as they arrived to carry out their operation.