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Tag: FCTA

  • 4 cows arrested in Abuja for constituting nuisance

    4 cows arrested in Abuja for constituting nuisance

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Wednesday, impounded 16 vehicles, four cows and arrested seven beggars in Abuja.

    The vehicles, beggars and cows were seized during the enforcement of zero tolerance to unapproved motor parks and herding of cows in restricted areas.

    The FCTA officials impounded 16 vehicles for unauthorised parking in front of the Federal Secretariat, Eagle Square, Appeal Court Junction, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

    While the enforcement agents seized the seven beggars and four cows at Lugbe, along Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Road for constituting a nuisance to the environment.

    The enforcement team also cleared illegal food vendors and hawkers around MTN Office, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street in Maitama, which the team designated as a hideout for criminals.

    Mr Peter Olumuji, Secretary, Command and Control Centre, FCTA, who led the operation, said the exercise was part of efforts to keep the capital city clean and safe for all residents.

    Olumuji said the operation was a continuation for the enforcement of sanity across the city by combined officials of Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Social Development Secretariat and Directorate of Road Traffic Services.

    “The exercise is meant to tackle various nuisances within the territory, especially illegal motor parks, where most of the taxis can be used for criminal purposes.

    “We are also clearing and arresting beggars across the territory as part of measures to maintain sanity in the environment,” he said.

    He said the seizure of the cows was part of enforcement of the ban on open grazing, to demonstrate the FCT Administration’s zero tolerance to herding of cattle in unauthorised places.

    He assured residents that the FCTA would do everything possible to ensure a clean and safe city for all.

    He also said that the enforcement team has arrested a man who poses as a security personnel to defraud and intimidate residents, adding that the culprit had been handed over to the police for prosecution.

    In her remarks, Mrs Deborah Osho, Head of Operations, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, said the operation was in line with the Senate directives to end illegal motor parks in the capital city.

    Osho warned motorists against indiscriminate parking of vehicles and operation of illegal parks.

    She also warned motorcycle owners against riding on unauthorised roads and locations.

    “The exercise is a general clean up that is aimed at restoring sanity across the territory,” she said.

  • FCTA unveils Strategic Plan for FCT-IRS as sole revenue collector

    FCTA unveils Strategic Plan for FCT-IRS as sole revenue collector

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has unveiled a Strategic Plan for the delegation of duties and responsibilities of revenue collection to the Federal Capital Territory-Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS).

    Mr. Adesola Olusade, Permanent Secretary in charge of FCTA, unveiled the plan during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He disclosed that a Project Management approach was adopted to ensure the successful execution of the delegation.

    According to him, the approach, known for its well-structured, organised, and systematic processes, will guide the FCT-IRS through the transition, adding that it would provide a clear roadmap for implementation.

    Olusade said that part of the implementation structure was a Project Steering Committee (PSC), previously known as the Implementation Committee.

    He explained that the committee would be chaired by the Permanent Secretary, FCTA.

    He added that the committee will consist of the Chairman of FCT-IRS and Chairmen of the Area Councils, among others as members.

    He noted that the policy decisions of the PSC would be implemented by the project implementation committee to be chaired by the Chairman, FCT-IRS.

    “Membership of the committee would be constituted and conveyed by the chairman.

    “The PSC, which comprises key stakeholders would provide strategic direction, make critical decisions and ensure that the project achieves its objectives.

    “Accordingly, the Project Steering Committee will provide strategic direction, decision making, monitoring and oversight, risk management and communications among other functions,” he said.

    Olusade explained that the decision to harmonise all revenues and centralise collection at the FCT-IRS was in the best interest of the territory and its people.

    He further said that decision was the outcome of an extensive deliberation by relevant stakeholders.

    This, he said, was part of a commitment to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of the territory’s revenue collection system.

    He commended stakeholders for embracing the idea, and described it as a “point of no return” in the shared journey to promote sanity in revenue collection in the FCT.

    In his remarks, FCT-IRS Acting Executive Chairman, Mr Haruna Abdullahi, said that the delegation of all revenue collection to a single entity was borne out of the resolutions of the “Akure Accord”.

    Abdullahi said that the development marked a significant step toward creating a more business-friendly environment that would attract investment, stimulate growth, and create job opportunities.

    He described the decision as “strategic” in ensuring efficient, transparent, and effective revenue collection system for a prosperous FCT.

    According to him, the centralisation of revenue collection under the FCT-IRS will eliminate duplication of functions, reduce administrative cost, and streamline revenue collection processes.

    “It will also ensure that all revenue collection activities are coordinated, thereby, reducing the potential for errors, saving cost, and preventing leakages.

    “Also, accountability is guaranteed when a single entity is responsible for revenue collection, serving as a one-stop shop for all revenue transactions and audits.

    “This will build taxpayers’ trust, encourage voluntary tax compliance, attract more businesses and investment needed to stimulate economic growth,”he said

    The FCT-IRS boss added that the centralisation of revenue collection would promote efficient data collection and analysis for decision-making.

    He said that data would provide valuable insights into revenue trends, taxpayer behaviour, and potential areas of improvement in the tax system and support accurate revenue forecasting.

    “This will help the FCT to plan and make its budget more effective,” he said.

    On his part, Mr. Danladi Chiya, Chairman of the FCT Association of Local Government of Nigeria, pledged the support of the association toward the success of the harmonisation project.

    Chiya promised that the six Area Councils’ Chairmen would work to ensure that FCT-IRS succeeds.

  • FCTA alerts residents, public on activities of fraudsters

    FCTA alerts residents, public on activities of fraudsters

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has alerted FCT residents and the public on the activities of scammers who created fake social media accounts in the name of senior staffers of the administration.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Jumai Ahmadu, Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, FCTA, on Thursday in Abuja.

    She said that the unscrupulous persons had created fake social media accounts with the intent to lure unsuspecting members of the public into phantom contract deals or fake employment offers.

    Ahmadu said that in the last 24 hours, two LinkedIn accounts were opened using the names of staffers of the FCTA, all with the aim of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.

    “One of such accounts was created in the name of the Permanent Secretary, Mr Adesola Olusade.

    “Another bore the name of the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr Shehu Ahmed,” she said.

    Ahmadu said that neither the permanent secretary nor the executive secretary had a LinkedIn account.

    She urged the public to desist from responding to calls for tenders or employment openings in FCTA through the social media accounts.

    The director added that the government had well established procurement and employment processes which were not publicised through social media.

    She said that security agencies were in the process of unveiling the perpetrators of the felonious act.

    Ahmadu however urged the public to take caution and not to fall prey to the scammers.

  • Abuja Master-plan: FCTA to correct grey areas impeding implementation

    Abuja Master-plan: FCTA to correct grey areas impeding implementation

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Friday said it would intensify efforts to correct grey areas hindering the implementation of the Abuja Master Plan.

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, said this at a retreat organised for the FCDA Board members and the executive management committee in Abuja.

    Bello was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Bashir Mai-Bornu,

    He urged all stakeholders to work assiduously toward evolving ways that would ensure smooth implementation of the plan.

    Bello called on the officials of the authority and stakeholders to work out modalities that would incorporate key areas to strengthen development of the city.

    “Abuja has been  rightly described as one of the fastest growing cities in the world just as the FCT is the fastest growing sub-national administration in the country.

    “This translates into more work for the FCDA as you try to cope with the rapid expansion of the city and ever changing structure and dynamics of the society,’’he said.

    Earlier, the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Shehu Ahmad, said in spite the challenges of distortion and illegal structures in the territory, efforts are on-going to meet up with the requirements of developing a nation’s capital.

    He described the retreat as an avenue for provoking discussions on how to correct illegalities faced by the FCDA in meeting up with the plan.

    “We organised the retreat as a means to sensitise members of the FCDA board as well as the executive management committee, with other stakeholders on the issue of Abuja master plan implementation”, he said.

    Ahmad said that the retreat would inspire discussions across all areas that needed urgent interventions.

    On the significance of the retreat, he said the programme was coming when the new administration was about to come on board.

    The executive secretary said the resolutions would help the stakeholders reappraise issues in context and present a better position.

    “We are discussing how and ways to address issues that are in context in developing Abuja and how to address them.

    “The FCDA has not delivered up to its mandate, going by the FCT Act Decree No. 6 of 1976 in pursuit of the dream of our founding fathers to build a befitting capital city.

    “We will continue to explore ways to meet up,” he said.

  • FCTA reopens Garki International market

    FCTA reopens Garki International market

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Wednesday reopened the popular Garki International market which was closed five days ago due to poor sanitation.

    The officials of the FCTA led by Mr Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Monitoring Inspection and Enforcement, reopened the market after the inspection of its sanitary condition.

    Attah, while addressing newsman expressed satisfaction with the management and traders of the market for swinging into action to ensure the restoration of the sanity of the market.

    He, however, warned that the administration would not hesitate to seal up the market again if the management and traders failed to maintain its standard of environmental cleanliness.

    Attah said: ‘”Garki international market has been sealed for five days by the galant team of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB)that got a court verdict to the market.

    “The decision to close the market was necessitated by the extreme and provocative nature of dirt in it.

    “When we came in here on Tuesday, we discovered that the work done was not very impressive and the Director of AEPB went back with his team, held a high powered meeting with Market Management Limited (MML).

    “What we are seeing now is very encouraging, and that is the reason why the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has approved the reopening of the market.”

    Attah also said that the minister warned the director that should the market degenerate again, the administration would close it for a longer time.

    Also, the Director of AEPB, Braimah Osilama, cautioned the management of markets across the FCT to ensure that their premises were clean to avoid facing similar unpleasant action.

    “The market now is in a proper condition for business, so following the directive of the minister, we have reopened it.

    ”We will continue to monitor the market as we do in all markets in the FCT, all plazas, all schools, to make sure that they are safe for their patrons.

    The traders, who were visibly excited with the development, lauded the FCTA for reopening the market.

  • FCTA gives conditions to reopen Garki market

    FCTA gives conditions to reopen Garki market

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Tuesday said it would not reopen the Garki International market until traders complied with sanitation guidelines.

    Mr Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, stated this when he visited the market to reassess the state of the environment.

    He was accompanied on the visit by Mr Osilama Braimah, Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).

    The AEPB sealed Garki market over poor sanitation and inability of the traders to take necessary measures to keep to the desired standard set by the FCTA.

    The minister’s aide lamented that despite the closure of the market on Friday, May 5, there were still heaps of refuse in different locations within the market.

    Attah said that FCT minister Muhammad Bello was anxious to have a clean and safe Abuja hence the quest for necessary steps to uphold standards.

    “The present stage of Garki market is a disaster waiting to happen; we have gone round the market to check the level of sanitation but it is still bad.

    “We sealed it since last Friday, May 5, so by now there should have been some signs of seriousness on the part of traders.

    “AEPB has acted in line with ministerial directives; any part of Abuja, be it market, school or office must be kept clean.”

    Collaborating, the AEPB boss, Braimah said the board was keen on reopening the market but was not satisfied with the level of hygiene.

    “This is about my fourth visit to the market, but it is still in a deplorable state, very filthy.

    “We are planning to reopen the market but looking at what is on the ground, it is not possible, hopefully it will be, in few days to come.”

    Reacting, a tailor in the market, Umar Hamza, confirmed that the market had been shut in the last five days due to uncleanliness, but pleaded for mercy.

    “AEPB shut the market about five days ago, we pleaded for more time in order to clean and evacuate the wastes.

    “The wastes have accumulated due to the traders’ refusal to pay the current service charge imposed by Abuja Market Management Limited.

    “We are appealing to FCT administration to understand our pains. We have lost a huge amount of money in the last few days over the closure.”

    Another trader, Mr Daniel Kali said: “We have started the clean up of the market; all the refuse heaps have reduced.

    “Why we stopped was because of a court issue; some of our people went to Court because they considered the service charge placed on us to be too much.

    “So, they want Abuja Market Management Limited to reduce the charges, but I can confirm to you that they have gone to the Court to withdraw the case.”

  • Abuja residents lament wanton destruction of property by FCTA

    Abuja residents lament wanton destruction of property by FCTA

    The residents of Kabusa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have cried out over the sudden and wanton destruction of their buildings and household belongings by men of the Department of Development Control of the FCTA.

    The destruction, which took place on May 5, was said to have been carried out in their usual commando-style without regard to due process and reckless disregard for rule of engagement, all in the guise of recovery of land to an allotted.

    The affected residents, during a Press Conference, complained that the Department of Development Control executed their “evil and callous” destruction of property of innocent citizens “who are now treated as animals and lesser beings by their own government.”

    The spokesman of the affected residents, Mr. Solomon Ajayi, said “these agents of government in collaboration with the supposed allottee sinisterly executed the wanton destruction of the area without dialoguing with the occupants.

    “And without adequate notification except the marking of houses that were effected on April 12.

    “Less than a month after the marking, they came back with bulldozers without any form of warning or notification to execute their evil plot.”

    Ajayi further explained that the Development Control Department in order to cover-up their evil and shove aside the moral burden of their calamitous action, went to the press to claim that they had dialogue with the affected residents, as reported in the Leadership newspaper on May 6.

    “The question now is where and when did the director of the Department of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima held the meetings with the community leaders and the so-called ‘land grabbers’?

    “We challenge the director to provide evidences of such dialogue and the several warnings and notices from the department that justified this act of inhumanity.

    “Indeed, it is unfortunate that we have come so low in this country that agents of government can easily come up with such blatant lies before the people they are meant to protect in order to cover-up their heinous acts”, he added.

    Another resident, Miss Glory Frank said she was saddened that after they have destroyed their property and rendered them homeless, the executioners of the wicked plot went to the press to exonerate themselves of any wrong doing “by claiming they gave adequate notices to us to quit.”

    “Please let the Department of Development Control provide evidence of the various notices they issued. “Never at anytime did they come to us to dialogue or gave us any quit notice.”

    She added “it was when our houses were marked that we met on the April 15,  with the community chief, who promised to take up the matter with the relevant government agency.

    “While we all arranged to meet with the chief on Saturday last week, suddenly these people (Department of Development Control) came and destroyed our houses and property, while most of us were away,” she lamented.

    However, when asked if they were aware of any dialogue that was held on their behalf by the community leadership, they claimed they were unaware of such meetings, insisting that if ever such dialogue took place, they were never intimated or invited to such meeting.

    “You cannot shave a man’s head in his absence,” quipped one of the resident.

    The affected residents are therefore calling on the FCTA to come to their aid and alleviate their sufferings by ensuing that the allottee initiate and conclude a compensation dialogue.

    They also demanded an administrative inquiry to ascertain the claim by the enforcing authority that they duly complied with laid down processes and regulations in the execution of their statutory mandate to sanction such erring officials and forestall such embarrassing action in the  house’ on illegal destruction.

  • Abuja street naming cartel runs into FCTA trouble

    Abuja street naming cartel runs into FCTA trouble

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday in Abuja threatened to prosecute a cartel involved in illegal street naming in the nation’s capital.

    The Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Umar Shuaibu, disclosed this at a news briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

    He added that the legal battle between FCTA and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) over the matter would soon be resolved amicably, with the understanding of all stakeholders.

    Shuaibu said that while the ruling of the FCT High Court on the street naming had been appealed, all stakeholders, including the AMAC leadership had agreed to set up an interagency committee to consider all factors around it.

    Shuaibu clarified that FCTA was not taking over AMAC’s responsibilities, but doing what the law permitted it as a major provider of infrastructure in the Capital City.

    He equally noted that its intervention in the issue was to restore the integrity of the process, alleging that investigation had exposed unscrupulous individuals who were adulterating it for personal gains, using AMAC as a cover.

    Shuaibu said: ” The existence of a cartel who are operating for their personal aggrandisement using the AMAC as a cover.

    “Even the AMAC leadership is not aware of the extent of the damage and quantum of corruption perpetrated in the name of street naming under it.

    ”As such, the FCTA is going to engage the anti-corruption agencies to ensure that all those involved in the infamous activities are brought to books or face the wrath of the law.”

    On his part, the Executive Chairman, AMAC, Christopher Maikalangu stated that his council was interested in having a harmonised process for the purpose of achieving a desired result.

    While he claimed ignorance of the rot in the street naming process, Maikalangu saidbthat the committee in charge of it had been in place before he came into office.

    He, however, assured that the council would co-operate with FCTA on the issue to find a lasting and mutually beneficial solution.

  • Ongoing demolition at Guzape not targeted at Abuja natives – FCTA

    Ongoing demolition at Guzape not targeted at Abuja natives – FCTA

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has clarified that the ongoing demolition of illegal structures at Guzape and other parts of the territory are not targeted at the Abuja natives.

    Mr Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, made the clarification, while answering question from newsmen at the scene of the demolition on Thursday in Abuja.

    Some of the affected shops and houses were built on flood plains and swampy areas.

    Attah explained that the exercise was targeted at removing squatters and illegal structures built on a land demarcated for school.

    The minister’s aide explained that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has strong love and regards for the 17 Graded Chiefs and all the original inhabitants or natives of the nation’s capital.

    ”It is false and misleading for anybody to think or insinuate that the ongoing demolition of illegal structures at Kpaduma II village in Guzape and other parts of the Federal Capital Territory are targeted at the Abuja natives.

    ”The Abuja natives are very peace loving people and the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has strong love for the Abuja natives.

    “If you observed the minister and the 17 graded FCT Chiefs are very close. From the Ona of Abaji to the Sapeyi of Garki and several others are all very close to him.

    ”Therefore, the efforts of the FCT Administration in trying to rid the territory of environmental nuisances and illegality is not and never targeted at the Abuja natives.”

    Attah said most of the people that were affected by the exercise were those who bought land from the natives.

    ”And that is the irony. Take a look at all of these places; they are not areas for the natives. If it were native houses, you will have seen them gathered because they will have nowhere to go

    ”But up there you could see the village and it is not touched because the villagers have right to resettlement and compensation.

    ”So, the minister has asked us to remove all the squatters who bought land from the natives in contravention of the law, while the natives have to be respected and be allowed for possible reintegration and resettlement depending on what the FCT Administration intended to do.”

    On his part, Mr Kaka Bello, the Head of Monitoring and Enforcement, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), also said that the area was earmarked for school but some people decided to defile the plan on the land and allocated it for illegal commercial activities.

    ”If you look around, you will see a timber shade, you can see blocks making factories and you can see bamboo selling spots there. All these illegal commercial activities are not supposed to be here.

    ”And that is why we are here to remove all these illegalities to ensure that the proper land designated as a school can be in place,” Bello said.

    Reacting to the demolition, one of the occupants of the affected structures, Mr Matthew Igba, appealed to the FCTA to ensure constructive engagement with the people when embarking on such exercise.

    He alleged that the structure where he was living with his family was not marked for demolition, ” but we only see bulldozers coming to demolish our structure..”

    Also, Mr James Ibekwe, who sells building materials said “everything that has happened has happened. This is where we do our business and get out daily income.

    ”All of a sudden, we just see something like this. The FCT Administration only gave us three days notice and before we know what is happening, our business places are gone.”

    NAN

  • FCTA threatens to shutdown Area I market

    FCTA threatens to shutdown Area I market

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday in Abuja threatened to shut down the Area I Shopping Complex and Market over alleged unwholesome activities by traders.

    The Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Malam Umar Shuaibu issued the warning when he visited the market with other senior officials of the administration to ascertain the genuineness of several complaints received about the market.

    Shuaibu said that the mall which was the first in Abuja, needs to meet the desired standard.

    ”The market has places earmarked for different purposes but the traders have thwarted the whole plan.

    ”The administration will take stringent measures as soon as the committee sets up to review the situation submit its report.

    “The committee comprises of FCT strategic agencies, departments and secretariat. So, as soon as the committee finishes it work, we will commence enforcement. Some structures will be removed with others relocated,” he said.

    He regretted that the informal sector in the area have littered the entire place without taking into account best hygiene practices.

    “We are in the market on a fact finding mission because of the several reports and complaints we have received.

    ”The whole place has been littered especially by the informal sector, there are areas reserved for walkways, pedestrians and parking. This area must be used according to what was planned.

    “We are going to restore sanity by removing all these illegalities. The places that require relocation and removal will all be addressed,” he said.

    He said the market was recognised internationally and must be in conformity with set standards.