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Tag: FCTA

  • Seasonal Climate Prediction: FCTA, NiMET sensitise farmers

    Seasonal Climate Prediction: FCTA, NiMET sensitise farmers

    In order to improve agricultural production, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in collaboration with Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMET), have sensitised Abuja farmers on the 2022 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).

    According to the Mandate Secretary, FCTA Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat, Malam Abubakar Ibrahim, said the objective was to educate farmers, with specific attention to selected crops and animals grown, as captured in the forecast.

    According to him, sensitisation is part of activities to improve productivity in the agricultural sector.

    Ibrahim said that if farmers understood the weather forecast it would help them know the right crops to plant at the appropriate time during rainy season.

    He added that being aware of real-time weather conditions like air and dew temperature, precipitation, humidity was the best way to protect crops and secure high and healthy yields.

    Ibrahim said the initiative was important because farmers would be educated on all farming aspects, in terms of weather prediction and what type of crop to be planted during rainy season.

    He said this would help to increase food production.

    “This sensitisation will go a long way in improving our production in FCT, so that in the near feature we can take care of the entire country.

    “So, the farmers especially leaders of the six area councils should take the programme serious.

    “We have tried to ensure that the information will be simplified such that they are clearly understood by farmers and made easily accessible to them,” he said.

    Earlier, the Director-General NiMet, Prof. Mansur Matazu, said the downscaling of the SCP was developed to serve the needs of decision-makers, who require local climate prediction for impact assessment.

    Matazu, represented by Prof. Charles Anosike, said SCP, being one of the NIMET flagship products, was invaluable tool that had helped farmers to improve their yields.

    He said it had also served as an advisory tool for many stakeholders at the Federal, State and Local Governments level.

    Also, the Director FCT Agriculture Services, Mrs Ihekandu Francisca, said weather forecast was key to optimum agriculture production and productivity in crop, livestock, fisheries productions and production of forestry resources.

  • FCTA, NCC partner on 5G broadband deployment in FCT

    FCTA, NCC partner on 5G broadband deployment in FCT

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has expressed the readiness of the FCT Administration to partner with the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) on deployment of 5G broadband in the territory.

    Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Chief Press Secretary to the minister, in a statement, on Sunday, in Abuja, said Bello, made the disclosure when he received a delegation of the NCC led by its Chairman, Prof. Adeolu Akande, on a courtesy visit.

    He assured the NCC board and management that all pending issues concerning the deployment of telecommunication facilities within the territory, would be resolved with the collaboration of all parties.

    According to him, this also included the payment of appropriate charges by telecommunication companies.

    Bello, however, reminded his guests that providing infrastructure within the Federal Capital City, was expensive, and that things had been made for the easy deployment of telecommunication facilities.

    He directed the setting up of a team, comprising the executive commissioner, technical services, NCC, the executive secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, (FCDA) and Chief of Staff to the minister, to harmonise and resolve all outstanding issues.

    The minister acknowledged the long and harmonious relationship existing between the NCC and the FCTA and extended the administration’s appreciation to the commission for its educational support to schools, within the FCT.

    Earlier, Akande had disclosed plans by the NCC to deploy infrastructure to accommodate 5G broadband in the FCT.

    He called for a partnership with the FCTA, to increase the number of possible technology deployment sites in the territory.

    Also speaking, the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, commended the minister and the management of the FCTA, for the infrastructural development in the territory.

    Present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Shehu Ahmed and the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu.

  • FCTA unveils dialysis centre, seeks subsided cost

    FCTA unveils dialysis centre, seeks subsided cost

    Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Thursday, unveiled the Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis Centre at Wuse District Hospital, as part of efforts at boosting healthcare delivery system in the territory.

    Newsmen reports that the centre is equipped with eight dialysis machines, one medical water reverse osmosis purification system and one 30 KVA generator.

    NAN also reports that the facility was donated by the charity arm of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

    Unveiling the centre, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, advocated for subsided dialysis cost, in view of the present economic realities.

    The minister, who quoted copiously from the holy book, to buttress the significance of the dialysis centre, noted that kidney disease, when detected early, could be managed and corrected.

    Aliyu noted that the FCT administration, in response to the rising incidence of chronic kidney disease in 2013, operated two public dialysis and intensive care units in the district hospitals at Wuse and Asokoro.

    She called on Nigerian Association of Nephrology and other health stakeholders to intensify public enlightenment on lifestyle changes as well as control of orthodox and traditional drug abuse, to prevent and control kidney diseases and other non-communicable diseases.

    She commended the leadership of the church for the choice of a life-saving project, particularly at the time of rising number of cases of kidney disease.

    Aliyu noted that the church was beginning to play one of its crucial roles of caring for the downtrodden in the society.

    “March 2 of every year is World Kidney Day and this allows for awareness creation and free testing for early detection of kidney disease, especially in clients with hypertension and diabetes.

    “Weight, urea, electrolytes, creatinine and cholesterol level checks, with evaluation of proteins in urine, among others, are additional tests necessary for early detection of kidney disease,” she said.

    Earlier, the Intercontinental Overseer, Christian Social Responsibility of the church, Pastor Iluyomade, said that the Abuja dialysis centre would be the 20th in the series of specialised medical interventions donated by the church.

    He added that the church had also built and donated intensive care units, dialysis centres, cancer screening centres and primary healthcare centres.

    Iluyomade further stated that, to date, the Enoch and Folu Adeboye dialysis centre had donated 37 dialysis machines in Nigeria.

    He added that the centre had conducted more than 30,000 subsidised and free dialysis sessions and partnered with other agencies to carry out six kidney transplants for free.

    “In 2021, the foundation donated a full-fledged dialysis centre to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Shagamu, from which 106 patients had benefitted.

    “The foundation, in partnership with Mercy Ship International Floating Hospital, has conducted life-changing corrective surgeries for various people.

    “The foundation also rehabilitated the Resettlement Community Primary Healthcare Centre, Ajah, Lagos, among others,” Iluyomade said.

  • [Photos] Beggar arrested with N500,000 and $100 in Abuja

    [Photos] Beggar arrested with N500,000 and $100 in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Social Development Secretariat (SDS) has arrested a 48-year-old beggar, Hadiza Ibrahim with N500,000 and 100 dollars.

    Malam Sani Amar, the Director, Social Welfare Services of the secretariat, confirmed the arrest on Tuesday, in Abuja.

    Amar described Ibrahim, an indigene of Kaduna State as one of the die-hard beggars that had been apprehended by the secretariat’s taskforce many times.

    The director accused the beggar of accumulating money she realised from begging over the years without investing it.

    Amar said, “It was very fortunate that on Feb. 9, Ibrahim was apprehended among other beggars on Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent in Wuse II.

    “In all honesty, we never knew that she has such amount of money on her.

    “What we normally do whenever we apprehend people we search them thoroughly to ensure that they do not carry any object that can harm them or our staff.

    “Then, we profile them to know where they come from and what they are doing apart from begging.’’

    According to the director, from our assessment within a decade that we have been apprehending Ibrahim, she seems to be socially deformed not mentally.

    “She knows what she is doing, she can differentiate between right and wrong,’’ he said.

    Amar described Ibrahim as “economical saboteur’’.

    “There are many people looking for 10 per cent of what she has as capital to do a business that would sustain them without resorting to begging.

    “But she is here with N500,000 plus 100 dollars notes which is N57,000 equivalent yet not investing it and still pretending to be poor beggar who has nothing to eat.

    “So, in our own way as social councilors, we will subject her to psychosocial therapy because she has social deformity,’’ he said.

    Amar said that the woman would be subjected to a condition to make her to realise that she “is physically fit, mentally alert to do certain things for herself without resorting to begging’’.

    The director maintained that the money belonged to her.

    According to him, the FCT Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre at Bwari Area Council will rehabilitate her.

    Earlier, the beggar told NAN that she had been begging on the street of Abuja for the past 10 years.

    “I used to come out daily from 4 p.m. to 11p.m. to beg for money around Wuse II and Maitama. Sometimes rich people around the area give me N5,000 or N10,000 and even dollars.

    “If I get huge amount of money, I will travel to my hometown, Kwanan Danja in Zaria, Kaduna state and when the money is finished I will come back.

    “The day I was apprehended with the money, I came out with it to buy kitchen utensils for my daughter who will be getting married very soon.

  • FCTA to shutdown non-cooperative schools in census

    FCTA to shutdown non-cooperative schools in census

    The FCT Administration has threatened to shut down any school that failed to provide the necessary information required in building a credible data base for assessing the health status of the education system.

    The FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, issued the warning at the inauguration of the 2020 and 2021 FCT Annual School Census for Basic and Post-Basic Schools in the six Area Councils of the territory, on Thursday, in Abuja.

    Represented by the Director, FCT Secondary Education Board, Mrs Lanre Emeje, Adesola also threatened to sanction school proprietors and administrators who defaulted in the data collation process.

    He noted that the continuous influx of people into the nation’s capital put enormous pressures on infrastructure, including educational facilities.

    According to him, the population growth had resulted in increased enrolment in schools and the need for expansion and additional schools.

    “I wish to also commend the private sector participation in the provision of education services to the residents of the FCT. You have keyed into the slogan “Education for all is the responsibility of all.

    “However, in as much as we appreciate your contributions, we need to know the status, level and quality of the education you are providing.

    “Participation in the annual school census is one of the means of providing us with the data on such information, which in turn will pave way for any intervention”, Adesola said.

    He enjoined all stakeholders to take the conduct of the 2020 and 2021 census seriously, through diligent participation, by providing accurate, reliable and timely data.

    He said that appropriate sanctions, including shutting down of any school, would be enforced for any school that failed to comply.

    He said that School Heads, Principals and Proprietors would be held accountable for failure to participate.

    Earlier, the Secretary of the FCT Education Secretariat, Alhaji Sani El-Katuzu, said the exercise would provide reliable and timely data of all schools, to ensure proper planning.

    He added that the annual school census would also provide an opportunity to evaluate the performance of the school system to the effective management of education in the FCT and in Nigeria at large.

    The secretary lamented that accurate data for education planning and decision making had been a major concern of the government.

    “And this has also created difficulties for development partners to make interventions in certain areas.”

    He regretted that some principals and head teachers of public and private schools had shown a care-free attitude to data collection, with many failing to make timely returns.

    “This problem of data quality is even worsened by the increasing number of schools that may not be included in government figures, such as unregistered private schools.

    “And religious schools that may be teaching some secular subjects, thus resulting in large figures of out of school children as recorded for Nigeria by international development partners”.

    He, therefore, advised that all hands must be on deck in the conduct of the 2020 and 2021 ASC in ICT, to ensure that credible, reliable and usable data was provided for effective planning, research purposes and sound decision making.

  • FCTA clarifies allegation of forceful COVID-19 vaccination of staff, visitors

    FCTA clarifies allegation of forceful COVID-19 vaccination of staff, visitors

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday in Abuja clarified that no staff or visitors were being forced to take the COVID-19 vaccines before gaining access to its secretariat.

    Mr Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, made the clarification while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

    Attah, who led the enforcement team to all FCTA Secretariats, Departments and Agencies, said: “every individual must present either a vaccination card or a negative COVID-19 test result to gain access to the premises.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had earlier reported that the FCTA on Monday began enforcement of no vaccination no entry into the Area 11 Garki Secretariat.

    As early as 7 a.m., the implementation team and security men manned the entrance of the secretariat.

    NAN correspondent, who monitored the enforcement, observed that many staff and visitors were being turned back.

    Attah however said that considering the fact that the cases of Omicron variant was still surging, stringent measures had to be taken to protect staff and “everyone that has anything to do with the administration’’.

    He explained that the FCT Administration had given staff enough time to choose between any of the options approved to avoid the stress of being turned back at the gate.

    “We have given a full one week for advocacy, and we got a van that went round announcing it.

    “Circulars were also circulated in line with the one earlier issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on the issue.

    “Those who say they don’t want to be vaccinated will get a negative test result.

    “So if you bring your vaccination card or the negative test result, any of the two can suffice.
    “Even if you feel you should not be vaccinated, then get us a negative test result, not more than three days old, and that will grant you access.

    “People thought that we are not serious here, but they have come to let them know that when the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu and the Permanent Secretary say something, they mean it.”

    NAN correspondent who monitored the exercise observed that crowd of vaccination seekers; both staff and non-staff had increased at all the approved centres in FCTA.

  • FCTA may revoke titles of 435 abandon buildings in Abuja – Director

    FCTA may revoke titles of 435 abandon buildings in Abuja – Director

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says arrangements have been concluded to sanction owners of 435 uncompleted and abandoned structures in Federal Capital City (FCC), Abuja.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the FCTA Director of Land Administration, Alhaji Adamu Hussaini, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Hussaini said that the measure is aimed at ensuring adequate protection of lives and property in and around the 250 square kilometers of the FCC, Abuja,

    “In order to ensure adequate protection of lives and property in and around the 250 square kilometers of the FCC, the administration may have concluded arrangements to sanction owners of 435 abandoned/uncompleted structures.”

    The director, who revealed that the sanction may include revocation of titles, advised the owners of such abandoned and uncompleted buildings within the City to swiftly work towards the completion of those buildings.

    According to him, such structures have become a source of security breach in the city.

    “The security breach is of great concern to the government and that it will not fold its arms to watch danger in the waiting to explode. This development has been a cause of worry for the FCT Administration.

    “These abandoned and uncompleted buildings have become shelter for unintended occupants as well as other persons with criminal disposition, who use these uncompleted structures as hideout to perpetuate their nefarious activities against the residents.”

    He also disclosed that the same fate may befall owners of about 600 undeveloped plots in the FCC.

    He emphasised that such undeveloped plots have remained an eyesore in Abuja, in spite of huge amount of money spent to provide basic infrastructures in the districts.

    Hussaini recalled that the owners of undeveloped plots scattered around the Abuja metropolis have been warned severally in the past, yet some remain recalcitrant.

    He disclosed that though there exists thousands of uncollected Certificates of Occupancy in the vaults, the Department has conveyed 495 Certificates of Occupancy to owners from January to Dec. 2021.

    The director, however, implored other allottees to come over and pick their Certificates as such act would help lubricate economic activities of the territory.

    On the issuance of Rights of Occupancy within the year under review, Hussaini explained that the department released a total of 1,319 titles to the beneficiaries.

    He also revealed that there are quite a huge number of uncollected Rights of Occupancy in the vaults.

    The director, therefore, advised those who have applied for land in the FCT to endevour to come forward and check the status of their applications.

    Hussaini said the department had witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of fresh applications for land in the territory during the year under review.

    He noted that a total number of 8,010 applications for land have been received between January and Dec. 2021.

    The director stated that the department undertook and released 546 Certified True Copy documents to various allottees in the year under review.

  • Buhari approves appointment of mandates secretaries, heads of agencies for FCT

    Buhari approves appointment of mandates secretaries, heads of agencies for FCT

    President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the appointment of Mandate Secretaries, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Heads of Agencies and Personal Aides to the Federal Capital Terriory Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello.

    The minister made the disclosure in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anthony Ogunleye, on Monday in Abuja.

    ” President Muhammadu Buhari, based on the recommendation of the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has approved the appointment of Mandate Secretaries, Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and Heads of Agencies.

    ” Buhari also approved the appointment of others into relevant positions in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

    ” The appointments are in keeping with his commitment to reposition the FCTA into a more robust and service-oriented administrative structure and enhancing its operational capability.”

    Bello said the mandate secretaries are Ibrahim Dantsoho, Secretary, Area Council Services Secretariat, Abubakar Ibrahim, Secretary, Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat, Sani El-Katazu, Secretary, Education and Dr Abubakar Tafida, Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat.

    The minister listed other appointees to includes, Muhammad Umar, Secretary, Legal Services Secretariat, Hadiza Kabir, Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, Zakari Dobi, Secretary, Transportation Secretariat and Agboola Dabiri, Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and PPP.

    ” Others are Mr Obinna Ogwuegbu, Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department, Umar Shuaibu, Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Shehu Ahmed, Executive Secretary, FCDA, Ibrahim Damisa, Managing Director, Abuja Broadcasting Corporation and Dr Muhammed Kawu, General Manager, Hospital Management Board.

    “In the same vein, the minister also approved the appointment of his personal aides and the Minister of State as follows, Mohammed Mai-Bornu,Chief of Staff, Abubakar Sani, Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant, Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement and others.

  • Kubwa fire: FCTA issues 24-hour ultimatum to illegal shop owners

    Kubwa fire: FCTA issues 24-hour ultimatum to illegal shop owners

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday in Abuja issued 24-hour ultimatum to illegal traders at Kubwa village Market to quit.

    The order followed the recent fire outbreak that claimed six lives.

    Acting Director Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Kaka Ali issued the ultimatum and urged owners of illegal shops and those encroaching on the major corridors and undesignated places around the market to vacate the premises.

    Ali disclosed that the FCT Administration had concluded plans to begin massive demolition of illegal structures causing obstructions in the market and the area.

    The director explained that all structures that fell within the non-regulated areas for trading would be demolished by the FCT Department of Development Control.

    “We are here to sanitise the market and environs following the recent incident of fire outbreak caused by explosion of an illegal Kerosine tank depot in the area.

    “We are trying to enlighten them on the dangers of selling within or around the market or within residential areas, which are completely forbidden and there are specific areas for selling such products.

    “We have spoken with the market managers on the need to sanitise and put all things in order,” Ali said.

    Earlier, the Director, FCT Department of Development Control, Mr Garba Kwamkur, explained that the department received a matching order from the FCT Minister in view of the ugly incident that happened on Nov. 5.

    “In and around the market are residential buildings, but people have resorted to breaking their windows and doors, turning those houses to commercial, thereby making everywhere to be rowdy.

    “We can’t allow that to continue, that’s why we are here to insist on what the FCT Master Plan says.

    “We have given them 24- hour ultimatum to revert to what they were originally meant for. We insist on the restoration of Kubwa Master Plan, because Kubwa, being a satellite town of Abuja, has a plan.”

    Also, Mr Ikharo Attah, Chairman of the FCT Ministerial Taskforce on City Sanitation, disclosed that there were old abatement notices served by relevant agency on most of the affected structures.

    Attah added that in 2020 the taskforce cleared obstructing structures in the area.

    “We cleared that particular place, but within the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, the people returned to the same spot where the disaster happened.

    “Now, with the support of the FCT Minister and Directors of AEPB and Development Control Department, as well as joint team of security personnel, we are going to purge and purify the entire neighbourhood of the NYSC area in Kubwa, in order to remove all illegalities.

    “We are ready to commerce removal action, we have told them that we have given you demolition notices as Development Control Department and AEPB issued them notices almost six years ago.

    “We have no option but to give them 24 hours within which to vacate the affected structures,” Attah stressed.

  • BREAKING: FCTA demolishes shanties occupied by BDC operators in Abuja

    BREAKING: FCTA demolishes shanties occupied by BDC operators in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday carried out the demolition of illegal structures and shanties occupied by operators of Bureau De Change (BDC) in the heart of Abuja city.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the affected structures included some shanties made of roofing sheets, sacks, and wood situated adjacent to Sheraton Hotel, where the BDC operators and other petty traders were operating their businesses.

    Mr Ikharo Attah, the Chairman of FCTA Taskforce on City Sanitation, who led the operation, explained that the exercise was a continuation of the reinvigorated efforts to rid Abuja city and its environs of environmental nuisances.

    The task force has also demolished an illegal cluster of furniture making workshops under the foot of a bridge near the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre.

    Attah revealed that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, had about a month ago visited the area.

    “During that visit, the minister was dazed by the high scale of contravention in the heart of the city, where people who deal in currencies operate recklessly.

    “Today, we came out on an operation to clear those persons who are roadside traders, owners of batchers, shanties and furniture markets under the Wuse Zone 4 Bridge.

    “We saw many bleeding points in the city, and the FCT Minister insisted that we must clear them all.

    “He even insisted that BDC operators who are operating on the roadside should not be as they should go back to their shops, and do their businesses.

    “We removed illegal attachments in the area and while we are removing street traders and hawkers, we can’t allow those who deal in currencies to remain on the road,” he said.

    He also disclosed that the FCT Minister had directed the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and other teams to pin down and ensure that the area was cleared.

    Attah said that in the course of the operation, the task force uncovered a stolen manhole cover, which the AEPB team would hand over to the relevant agency of the FCTA.

    Also, the Assistant Director, Monitoring and Enforcement of AEPB, Malam Kaka Bello, decried the high rate of environmental nuisance being constituted by traders and those hawking currencies in the area.

    Bello said, “the area was an eyesore, which was not acceptable and it contributes badly to the quality of the city’s environment.”

    He said that AEPB would ensure that the exercise is continuous, as its personnel would be there on a daily basis.

    According to him, “most of the offices in Zone 4 are owned by BDCs, but unfortunately some of them resolved to be trading outside, which is illegal.”

    He appealed to the members of the public, especially those who patronise BDCs to do so in their offices.

    Bello warned: “Anybody caught operating illegally would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”

    Bello revealed that Mobile Courts are already on standby, waiting for people, who indulged in illegal activities to be arrested and arraigned before them.

    “We want to appeal to all these people, who have turned the places into their abodes illegally to please vacate, as places like those ones are not meant for such illegalities.

    “They should take advantage of the markets within the city, where they can go and sell their wares.

    “For the Bureau De Change operators, they should please ensure that they carry out their businesses within their office premises, not on the roads’ corridors.”

    On his part, the Secretary FCTA Command and Control Centre, Peter Olumuji, said illegal activities being conducted in the area posed serious security threats to the lives and property of the residents.