TheNewsGuru

Tag: FCTA

  • FCTA moves to combat menace of building collapse in Abuja

    FCTA moves to combat menace of building collapse in Abuja

    The Department of Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has set up a seven-man committee for the prevention of building collapse in the federal capital, Abuja.

    The Director of the department, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, told newsmen after the inauguration of the committee in Abuja on Wednesday that the move was part of proactive measures to address incessant building collapse.

    “We don’t have to wait for another building to collapse before we act. That is why we set up the committee to help investigate structures that are not structurally stable for human habitation.

    “It is good to go round and identify these structures, conduct integrity tests and where necessary provide for remedial measures and remove the structure if it is found not stable.

    “The committee will be looking out for structures that visually may look stable but not, and recommend an integrity test,” Galadima said.

    He added that the committee would also make recommendations on how to reduce the incidence of building collapse to the barest minimum in the FCT.

    He said that the committee would equally recommend who to be engaged to conduct the integrity test.

    According to him, the committee comprises representatives from the Council for Registered Engineers of Nigeria, Town Planners Registration Council and Builders Registration Council.

    Others are National Institute of Building and Road Research Institute and Standards Organisation of Nigeria among others.

    Describing the task as a “national call”, the director said that the committee had two months at the first instance to deliver on the task.

    Galadima warned that any official of the department involved in sharp practices would be dealt with in accordance with the civil service rule and other extant laws.

    The chairman of the committee, Mr Allabeh Ndirmbula, said that reasons for building collapse were many – materials, construction, design, misuse, quackery, ageing and disaster among several other factors.

    Ndirmbula, a former president of the Town Planners Registration Council, said that the committee would work to address, with focus on Phase 1 area of the FCT namely Wuse 1 and 2, Garki and Asokoro.

    “What has already happened, we can’t help it; but the future is what we are looking at. We want to make sure that from now on, we have a system that checks against building collapse,” he said.

    Also, Mr Ajibade Adeyinka, a Deputy Director in Development Control and Secretary of the committee, described the building industry as a “complex industry”.

    Adeyinka said that the industry had so many professionals working in the field and their job interrelated in the processes and procedures of erecting a building for a specific use.

    “However, there have been a lot of compromises along the way, from the developer to the owner of the building, to the professionals on site, issue of quackery and poor supervision and monitoring.

    “This committee intends to look at existing structures, processes and procedures and look at how to rejig it if there are issues.

    “When you talk about building collapse, we always look at buildings under construction, but we are also looking at buildings that have been completed and occupied,” he said.

  • FCTA releases list of 135 roads for rehabilitation, resurfacing in FCT

    FCTA releases list of 135 roads for rehabilitation, resurfacing in FCT

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has released the list of some of the 135 roads inaugurated for rehabilitation and resurfacing in Wuse, Garki, Gwarimpa and Maitama Districts.

    The Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, who inaugurated Phase I of the projects on Monday, gave the contractors six-month completion timeline.

    The list of the streets for rehabilitation and resurfacing obtained by NAN in Abuja on Tuesday, showed that most of the projects would be executed in Wuse District.

    In Wuse Zone 1, the streets to be rehabilitated include Daloa, Kayes, Umme, Bumbuna, Masana, Badundu, Oran, Sawhaj, Arusha Crescent, Sunyani, Bamako, Takorade, Dakar, Bulawayo, Soka, Darioa, Kaolack, Kigali, and Gonder Street.

    In Zone II,  the streets are Kribi, Kumba, Touggourf, Kisumu, Gaborone, Faranah, Gabes, Lavumisa, Niami, Johannesbourg, Angola, Korhogo, Bechar, Senanga, Hargeysa and 2, Khartoum, and Damba Street.

    In Zone 3, six streets would be rehabilitated or resurfaced namely Idimba, Port Loko, Ndele, Yele, Al-Fayyun, and Aswan.

    The streets for rehabilitation in Zone 4 include Mandingou, Lubumbashi, Port Said, Mogadishu, Shinyanga, Sfax, Zinglunchor, Kitwe, Elminya Close, Sefadu, Meknes, Safi, Mbala, Gwelo, Melange, Savalou, Sheraton and Yar’adua Road.

    A total of five roads would be rehabilitated in Zone 5 namely Doula Streets, Mombasa Street, Windhoek Street, Boffa street and Jessaoua Close.

    In Zone six, the streets for rehabilitation are Cotonou, Yaounde, Makeni, Massenya, Annaba, Bukoma, Mobondo, Mbabani, Diovo, Berbera, Chiongola, Jima, Kinshahsha, Bouake, Rabat, Tanga, Timbuktu, Zinder, Rumbek, Zuwai, Beyia, and Tema.

    Others are Diredawa Street, Kalemie, Asmara, Mbandaka, Macenata/Welkom, Harare, Tripoli, Maseru, Iringa, and Dodoma Streets.

    For Zone 7, the streets include Lome, Harper, Huambo, Ndola, Sokode, Sirasso and Bambari Crescents, Masaka Close and Dalaba Street.

    In Garki District, Ladoke Akintola Boulevard, Garki II would be rehabilitated, while Strabag Road, Gwarimpa Life-Camp would also be rehabilitated.

    In Maitama, the roads are N16 Road, Maitama Roundabout and N11/B4 (Ahmadu Bello Way/This Day Dome Junction) Maitama, Junction between Ring Road 1/Tafawa Balewa Way Area 3-Garki.

    Others are House 14, 1 and 2, off Jere Street, behind Rita Lori Hotel.

    Wike had explained during the inauguration that the projects were in line with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu administration.

  • FCTA clarifies crushing of impounded commercial motorcycles

    FCTA clarifies crushing of impounded commercial motorcycles

    The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), says the crushing of impounded commercial motorcycles popularly known as “Okada” was in line with the provisions of the law.

    Mrs Deborah Osho, the Head of Operations, DRTS made the clarification in an interview with NAN in Abuja on Sunday.

    Recall that the Joint Task Force Team of the FCTA on Aug. 31 impounded and crushed 400 commercial motorcycles for operating illegally in Abuja capital city.

    The crushing, according to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Garba Haruna, who led the exercise was in line with the law banning operations of commercial motorcycles in the city.

    Similar exercises were carried out at different times in the past as part of enforcement of the ban of okada operations in the city centre.

    The Federal Capital Territory Road Transport Regulation, 2005, has specifically directed okada riders to operate only in designated areas.

    The then Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Information and Strategy, Hajiya Amina Salihu had announced the ban of okada from plying the city centre from Oct. 1, 2006.

    The city centre in the context of the FCT refers to the districts covered by the Phase 1 of the master plan.

    These are Wuse, Central Business District, Three Arms Zone, Maitama, Asokoro, Utako, Wuye, Garki, Diplomatic Zone, Mabushi, Katampe, Gwarinpa and Gudu.

    Salihu had explained that they were, however, allowed to operate in other areas of the FCT.

    Osho told NAN that the ban was still in force, adding that part of the enforcement was to crush impounded okada within the confines of the law.

    She said that the operators were allowed to operate freely in areas like Gwagwalada, Bwari, and Nyanya among other suburbs of the FCT, stressing that any okada impounded within the city would be crushed.

    She added that the law provided two grounds for crushing impounded motorcycles – those impounded for constituting security threats, and those impounded with a Court forfeiture Order.

    The official explained that the ban became necessary following a public outcry that the Okada operators were constituting a menace in the city.

    She said that motorcycles were used by criminals as means of quick getaway from crime scenes, and kidnappings in residential areas of the city.

    “They were also used for many criminal activities including snatching valuables and mobile handset from unsuspecting passersby.

    “This is in addition to the rising numbers of casualties from accidents involving Okada riders,” she said.

    The head of operations said that security agencies had tagged the commercial motorcycles as constituting a security threat within the city and wanted them off the city routes.

    On whether the operators were aware of the ban and the consequences when caught, Oshio said that riders were well sensitised even before the enforcement of the ban in 2006.

    She added that security and government agencies equally held series of meetings with their leadership, reminding them of the ban and what could happen once an okada was impounded.

    She advised residents against patronising Okada for their safety and those buying motorcycles for the riders to stop, saying “we will continue to crush them whenever we impound them.

    On his part, the Secretary, Command and Control of the FCTA Enforcement Task Force, Mr Peter Olumuji, also said that crushing the impounded motorcycles was to strengthen enforcement of the ban.

    Olumuji explained that earlier, when a motorcycle was impounded, the owner would face a mobile court where he or she would be fined N2000 or N3000.

    He added that after paying the fine, the okada would be released to the owners and they would be back on the streets.

    He said to address the challenge, the ban was amended to include forfeiture of impounded commercial motorcycles to the FCTA.

    “This means that once an okada is impounded, it becomes the property of the FCTA.

    “While this appeared to solve the problem, it also came with a challenge, following allegations that officials of DRTS collect bribes and release the motorcycles to the owners.

    “It was to address this problem that security agencies and the enforcement taskforce opted for crushing of impounded okada.

    “This did not only solve the problem of alleged corruption in the seizures, but also the question of economic losses,” he said.

    The secretary explained that after the motorcycles were crushed, they would be sold to recycling companies and the money deposited in a government account.

  • Wike goes after FCTA’s debtors

    Wike goes after FCTA’s debtors

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says owners of landed properties owing the FCT Administration (FCTA) ground rents, amounting to N34 billion would be penalised.

    Wike stated this when members of the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee Investigating Failure of Mass Transportation in Nigeria, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He warned allottees owing the FCT Administration ground rents to either pay or have their property revoked and reallocated to those who could pay.

    “I have calculated the debt of nonpayment of ground rent, which is about N34 billion, and I am going to collect all of those back. I don’t care, all I want is for the rent to be paid,” he said.

    The minister said that the list of the people owing FCTA ground rent would be published on Thursday, adding that they would be given two weeks to pay.

    According to him, whoever does not pay, his land will be revoked and be given to whoever will pay so that the necessary services will be rendered.

    “People want to live in a beautiful city but don’t want to pay their dues which is impossible.”

    He said that the decision became necessary following a decision to tie projects to Internally Generated Revenue to enable contractors complete abandoned projects.

    Wike complained about the poor budgetary allocation to the FCT and appealed to the lawmakers to assist in improving its budgetary provisions.

    The minister also said that he would overhaul the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO), expressing displeasure that AUMTCO buses were loaned out without maintenance.

    Earlier, Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Mr Afam Ogene said that his committee visited the minister to find solutions to epileptic mass transportation in the country and the FCT.

    Ogene described the development as “worrisome”, saying that over N16 billion had been invested in mass transportation during the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SUR-P) with little services being rendered.

    He expressed relief with the ongoing transformation of the Abuja Light Rail transport system, and traffic lights across the city.

    “We are here to encourage you to look into transportation and reorganize it. We will support you to do it and it will also solve problems of one chance in the city,” he pledged.

  • TINUBU: Arresting bedlam tearing FCTA apart – By Carl Umegboro

    TINUBU: Arresting bedlam tearing FCTA apart – By Carl Umegboro

    By Section 299 (a) of the 1999 Constitution, Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria operates as the governor of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and this constitutional concept empowered the president to appoint a minister for the federal capital territory as an overseer for him.

    The afore-said section provides – “all the legislative powers, the executive powers and the judicial powers vested in the House of Assembly, the Governor of a State and in the courts of a State shall, respectively, vest in the National Assembly, the President of the Federation and in the courts which by virtue of the foregoing provisions are courts established for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja”.

    Thus, there is urgent need for the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the unending crisis attempting to create violence and civil disorder in the seat of power. From indications, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA), Mr. Olusade Adesola has not been able to give needed directions to the warring parties in line to the orders of the court which is gradually paving ways to anarchy if not timely arrested.

    The height of the crisis is that court orders are no longer considered important rather self-helps and all manner of manipulations leveraging on the vacation of the judicial officers which placed courts under lock and key except few ones opened for urgent essential matters. A society where court orders and judgment are disrespected is heading to a doom, hence, a stitch in time saves nine.

    The impunity being deployed in the protracted tussle between the two companies under the control of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) namely; Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL) and Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML) is becoming so unfortunate to the extent that orders of various superior courts are disrespected without an atom of respect.

    From investigation, the fracas began under the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Musa Bello but unresolved till he left office. When all efforts to resolve through the alternative dispute resolution mechanism failed, the Managing Director of Abuja Market Management Limited (AMML), Alhaji Abubakar Usman Faruk approached the National Industrial Court over attempts to arbitrarily push him away from office as the helmsman of the company, and also filed a second action at the Federal High Court, Abuja judicial Division.

    From the court records, in the action filed at the Federal High Court with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/499/2023, the presiding judge, Hon Justice D.U. Okorowo entered judgment in favour of the Claimant/Applicant, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Faruk against Abuja Markets Management Ltd; Abubakar Sadiq Maina; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants respectively. The court also gave a restraining order against the (4) four defendants from carrying on whatever planned acts particularly the plot to arbitrarily push away the claimant/Applicant from office as MD/CEO of AMML.

    In similar vein, in the suit filed at the National Industrial Court with number: NICN/ABJ/62/2023, the court presided by Hon Justice R. B. Haastrup gave a concurring judgment in favour of the claimant, Alhaji Abubakar Usman Faruk affirming him as the substantive MD/CEO of Abuja Markets Management Ltd (AMML), and also gave restraining orders against Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA); Abuja Markets Management Ltd; and Abuja Investments Company Ltd as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants respectively.

    The court then ruled among others giving restraining orders against the GMD of Abuja Investments Company Ltd (AICL) stopping him and his agents from carrying out actions in the manner they have done and further intend to do against AMML and her MD/CEO. Delivering the judgment, the judge said; “The pieces of evidence before this court confirm the facts deposed to by the Applicant and all point to some level of hostility by the Group managing Director (Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Maina) of the 4th Defendant”.

    Thereafter, His Lordship, Hon Justice A.R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja also made a similar order of interim injunction on same matters to the Abuja Investment Ltd; Federal Capital Territory Administration; Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory; Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Maina; Engr. Mohammed Abbas Yakubu; and Corporate Affairs Commission as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th defendant respectively against taking any further action until empowered by the court. These are the proper way a civilized society thrives.

    Unfortunately, perhaps leveraging on the vacation of the courts, actions that amount to affront to the courts are being taken with impunity. For instance, despite these orders of the superior courts of record, or rather than obey the orders of the courts, on 11th August, 2023, a party; Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Maina, supposedly ‘former Board chairman’ of Abuja Market Management Ltd following President Tinubu’s dissolution of boards of federal government parastatals, agencies, institutions and government-owned companies through a circular with reference number: FCTA/PS/1556 of 27thJune, 2023, and who is a defendant in all the two matters already dispensed in the NICN and FHC and the pending one in FHC before Hon Justice Mohammed; all superior courts of record, boldly approached the Magistrate Court through a motion number: MN/108/2023 and obtained an order restraining the same Claimant/Applicant in the three matters at NICN and FHC against the orders of the above-mentioned superior courts. These acts of impunity and disrespect to the courts must be arrested. It must be noted that the court of law should never be subjected to ridicule of any kind as it is never a toothless bulldog. It can bark, bite, brake and may as circumstance warrant, eat up the bones.

    In the celebrated case of Rt. Hon. Michael Balonwu and Ors v Governor of Anambra State and Ors (2007) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1028) at page 488 (paragraphs 564 – 565), B.G. per DENTON-WEST JCA said; “An order of the court whether valid or not must be obeyed until it is set aside. An order of the court must be obeyed as long as it is subsisting by all no matter how lowly or lightly placed in the society. An act of disobedience towards an order can render any further act by those who have acted disobediently to sanctions from other courts because no court would want its orders flouted. This is what the rule of law is about; hence the courts have always stressed the need for obedience of court orders”.

    Similarly, in the case of Oshiomhole and Anor v FGN and Anor (2004) LPELR5188 (CA), it was stated thus; “But in a democratic polity, where principles of rule of law are firmly entrenched in the system, it will be working in an anticlockwise direction, an affront and indeed an onslaught on democracy if a person or body of persons however highly placed, shall decide to brush aside, downgrade and ridicule a court order…”

    By lamentations of some leaders of the markets under the control of the Abuja Market Management Limited (AMML), the protracted tussles between the two helmsmen (of the holding company and that of the subsidiary company) has continued to instill fears, anxiety following deadly threats from a quarter. Thus. A timely presidential intervention is most needed.

     

    Umegboro, an Associate, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, public affairs analyst and social advocate, writes from Abuja.

  • Again, FCTA carries out demolition in Abuja, smokes out criminals

    Again, FCTA carries out demolition in Abuja, smokes out criminals

    The officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday demolished an illegal market called “Kasuwan Dare”, a suspected hideout for hoodlums and drug dealers in Asokoro, Abuja.

    The market was located at Hassan Musa Katsina Street, near Kpaduma II in Asokoro Extension, Abuja.

    Speaking after the demolition, the Director, Department of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, said that the illegal market was becoming a threat to the residents of the area and passerby.

    Galadima added that the area was turned into a haven for criminal activities despite relentless efforts by the FCT Administration to sanitise the area.

    He added that the miscreants operating in the area were affecting the aesthetic quality of the entire environment, adding that the Administration would allow it to continue.

    He said that area had to go because it constituted a security threat, adding that the area was also serving as a hideout for miscreants, drug dealers and men of the underworld.

    “The operation will help us get rid of the hoodlums and drug dealers that have taken over the place.

    “We had demolished the place about three times, but the nuisances rebuilt and continued their activities.

    “This time around, the demolished market will remain demolished. We need to sanitise the place and enhance the aesthetic quality of the environment.

    “It is also part of the current administration’s policy of sanitising the city, and this is one of the areas we are commencing the exercise,” he said.

    Also, the Secretary, FCTA Command and Control, Mr Peter Olumuji, said that efforts would be put in place to ensure the safety of residents in the area.

    The Village Head of Kpaduma, Mr Bitrus Yakubu, commended the FCT Administration for coming to their rescue and for ridding the area of hoodlums.

    “The place has been here for over twenty years but today it has gone down for our own good. We are very happy as a community that the area is cleared for good,” Bitrus said.

  • Abuja Airport: FCTA to pay N825.8m compensation for construction of 2nd runway – Wike

    Abuja Airport: FCTA to pay N825.8m compensation for construction of 2nd runway – Wike

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration (FCTA) will pay N825.8 million as compensation for the construction of second runway for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Wike stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, while briefing newsmen at the end of a closed-door meeting with members of the Jiwa community and other stakeholders.

    He said that the amount would be paid through the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) for compensation and resettlement of the people of the community affected by the project.

    He added that as part of the incentive, 12 people from the community would be employed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and its agencies and 10 by FCTA.

    He added that the government would also construct the Tunga Madaki bridge along with a five-kilometre road from the bridge to the community for easy movement of the people.

    The minister explained that the project would be captured in the 2024 budget of the FCTA.

    Wike also said that FCTA would equally provide a modern health facility to provide quality health care services for people of the community.

    He said that an undertaking would be signed based on the agreement between the government and the community.

    He identified the signatories as the permanent secretaries of FCTA and ministry of aviation, the Chief of Jiwa, the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Council and the Commissioner, Public Complaint Commission.

    “If that is done today, and tomorrow or next tomorrow the money is paid to them, contractors will no longer delay. They have to move to the site immediately and commence work.

    “So, the second runway has come to stay,” he said.

    He said that the current administration was determined to ensure that the second runway was delivered.

    He commended the Chief of Jiwa, Alhaji Isa Idris, for mobilising his people to attend the meeting to resolve the crises.

    His counterpart, Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said that he met the issue on his table, adding that the project ought to have been delivered in July.

    Keyamo said that the contractors could not be mobilised because of the issue of compensation.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, said that the completion of the project requires the support of all relevant stakeholders.

    Adesola commended Wike for the intervention to ensure a quick resolution of the issue.

    Dr Emmanuel Meribole, Permanent Secretary, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said that the project was approved by the Federal Executive Council in March 2022.

    Meribole said that the project was awarded to four contractors in April, with CCECC Nigeria Limited as the major contractor.

    He, however, said that the project was stalled because of the disagreement over compensation to the affected community members.

    Earlier, the Chief of Jiwa, said that the ministry of aviation through its consultant had earlier pegged the compensation at N2.5 million per hectare, for the 12,000 hectares allocated for the project.

    Idris further said that the amount was later reviewed downward to N700,000 per hectare when FCTA took over the discussion as the rightful authority to determine how much compensation to be paid.

    He said that the community took the matter to the Public Complaint Commission with a view to resolve the issue amicably.

    The community leader said that his people were concerned that the N700,000 being offered per hectare would not be enough for the affected persons to acquire another land.

  • Why we demolished multimillion naira duplex in Abuja – FCTA

    Why we demolished multimillion naira duplex in Abuja – FCTA

    A multimillion-naira duplex built on plot 226, in Wuse Zone 6, was on Monday demolished by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

    According to FCTA, the structure was brought down because it was built on unapproved land.

    This was made known by the Director, Department of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima.

    Galadima said that the building was illegally developed against all warnings, adding that his team had carried out an extensive investigation to ascertain the original owner of the plot, given varying claims that were being put forth by the parties.

    He added that investigation revealed that the developer was not the owner of the plot, adding,” That is why we had to remove the building.”

    He said the FCT Administration will not consider the status of any defaulting developer once development rules and regulations are violated.

    Galadima said: “We demolished the duplex because somebody built it on someone else’s land without valid title and building plan approval.”

    “We allowed the building to this stage before demolishing it because we had to follow all due processes,” he said as quoted by NAN.

  • FCTA set to demolish over 500 unapproved buildings in Abuja

    FCTA set to demolish over 500 unapproved buildings in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Wednesday, announced plans to demolish about 500 illegal houses and structures in Dutsen-Garki, Apo District, Abuja.

    Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, disclosed this after a meeting with the leaders of the community in Abuja.

    Galadima, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr Hassan Ogbole, explained that all houses and structures that were illegally acquired or built would be demolished.

    He lamented that individuals acquire properties and lands from the natives and develop the lands without approval from the FCTA.

    “This is unacceptable to the FCT Administration,” he said.

    He explained that the meeting with the locals was in line with the reform agenda of the FCTA to consult the natives before any demolition exercise so as not to take the people by surprise.

    He added that the meeting was to also intimate the leaders of the affected community and the public on the intended demolition exercise.

    Galadima said that they have agreed with the community leaders to embark on marking of houses and structures, illegally built by non-indigenes in two weeks time.

    This, he said, would be followed by the demolition exercise.

    The director advised residents against contacting locals for land acquisition and urged anyone interested to acquire land to go to the constituted authority to avoid loss of properties.

    He also advised the locals against selling off lands and properties to non-indigenes or expanding without approval from FCTA.

    In his remarks, Mr Kak Bello, Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, pointed out that besides erecting illegal structures, people also build on water ways.

    “This is not good for the environment. Building on flood plains and dumping of refuse on water ways contribute to the environmental problems being experienced in some parts of FCT.

    “I urged people to be law-abiding and desist from building illegally and on flood plains,” he said.

    On his part, one of the representatives of the community, Mr Danjuma Fanus, pledged the full cooperation of the community leaders for the success of the exercise.

    Fanus, nonetheless, appealed to the FCTA to be considerate while carrying out the exercise so as not to make any of the natives a victim.

    “We will cooperate with the authorities, but we also need your cooperation,” he said.

  • Anthrax scare: FCTA begins mass vaccination of cattle to curb spread

    Anthrax scare: FCTA begins mass vaccination of cattle to curb spread

    The Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday, began a four-week mass vaccination of cattle to curb the spread of Anthrax in the FCT.

    The acting Secretary of the secretariat, Alhaji Ishaq Sadeeq, inaugurated the exercise in Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja.

    According to him, the mass vaccination exercise is targeting at least one million cattle across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

    Sadeeq explained that the move became necessary following the confirmation of the disease in Suleja, Niger, one of the neighbouring states of the federal capital.

    He thanked the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, for approving the purchase of one million doses of the vaccine, which scientists have identified as the most effective way of preventing the disease.

    He said that the vaccination exercise, which would last four weeks, would be carried out simultaneously across the 62 wards of the six Area Councils of the FCT.

    He explained that the exercise was part of the FCT Administration’s proactiveness and readiness to combat the disease.

    “The FCT Administration had since the announcement of the outbreak in Ghana earlier this year, carried out a series of outreach campaigns to sensitise residents, particularly livestock owners and butchers, about Anthrax disease.

    “The sensitisation was to avail them with the knowledge of signs and symptoms, as well as effective measures they can adopt to protect themselves and their animals from contracting and spreading the disease,” he said.

    He appealed for the co-operation of livestock owners with the veterinary health workers, to ensure the success of the exercise.

    He equally advised livestock owners against selling or slaughtering any animal with visible symptoms of the disease, and report suspected cases to any of the FCT Veterinary Clinics.

    “While our veterinary personnel have been put on alert to attend to any emergency cases, we will be working closely with the Health and Human Services Secretariat to attend to human cases involving livestock owners,” he added.

    The Director of Veterinary Services, FCT, Dr Regina Adulugba, described Anthrax as a “fatal disease” to both animal and humans, which can be contracted through open wounds, airborne and from consuming infected animals.

    Adulugba said, “the best protection against the disease is vaccinating the animals and that is what we are here to do.

    “It is deadly because it is zoonotic. Zoonotic means it can affect human and it can affect animals. So, it is dangerous, and it spreads by too many means.

    “If you have a wounded skin, it can affect the wound and then infect the person, or it can spread even through the air, or it can spread from consumption of meat.

    “That is why we advised them not to slaughter any sick animal for now. If an animal is sick, they should allow it to die and then we see if it is positive.

    “It is safer for them as cattle owners, their children and their families, because it can affect human and it is very deadly in human as it is deadly in animals.”

    On his part, Malam Yahaya Isa, Chairman, Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), FCT Chapter, commended the FCTA for the proactive step.

    Isa, who is also the Deputy National Secretary of the association, said that the move would not only protect livestock against the disease, but also save investment and human lives.

    He commended the FCTA for being the first to take such a proactive step in the country to prevent further spread of the disease.

    “The entire Fulani herders’ community are happy and are fully prepared to comply with arrangement.

    “Our people are ready to cooperate with the officials everywhere. We have even mobilised in each area council, some group of youths to back them up wherever they are going,” he said.