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Tag: FCTA

  • FCTA Perm Sec, Director and Unrelenting Executive Rascality – Carl Umegboro

    FCTA Perm Sec, Director and Unrelenting Executive Rascality – Carl Umegboro

    By Carl Umegboro

    The alleged extremes and impunity of the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr. Adesola Olusade and Director of Procurement, Ibrahim Ibrahim Gusau are alarmingly disturbing. By default, FCT ministry is a signpost of the federal government considering that it possesses almost equal status with the thirty-six states of the federation, but led by a minister appointed by the President unlike the states that have governors elected by the people. It therefore becomes logical to reliably assess policies of the President through undertakings and accomplishments of the Federal Capital Territory Authority as the seat of power which is directly under the presidency.

    This imprudence must be checkmated and those engaging in the improper deals be punished accordingly. No doubt, these obnoxious activities had thrived for many decades, and inherited by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Nonetheless, as an administration that places priority on a fight against corruption, the abnormally must not succeed this administration. Clearly, these actions contradict the policies of Buhari-led government vis-à-vis autonomy of the Local Councils, independence of the Judiciary and noninterference in the States House of Assembly. Thus, the impunity must stop.

    Looking closely at the activities of the ministry, most times, attitudes of some of its officials appear as if it runs reverse policies from the presidency. For instance, Buhari has been unrelentingly active in agitation for the autonomy of Local Government Areas, independence of judiciary and State Houses of Assembly towards bringing governance and dividends of democracy closer to the people as provided in the 1999 Constitution, Federal Republic of Nigeria which the governors fervently oppose for selfish interests. This led to the industrial action of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) recently which paralyzed the courts for months.

    Sadly, despite clear position of the presidency and efforts to enable Local Councils and judiciary operate independently accordingly, it was shocking to read on 14 July, 2021 in Daily Trust at page 31, a notice of intention to commence committal proceedings against the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr. Adesola Olusade and Director of Procurement, Ibrahim Ibrahim Gusau which suggests executive rascality and impunity of the two officials. In Nigeria, contempt of court is punishable under Section 133 of the Criminal Code; Section 274 (1) (b) of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (amending section 41 (1) (b) of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, 1923) and Section 21 of the Native Courts Ordinance.

    In the notice dated July 12, 2021 addressed to the Permanent Secretary of FCTA, signed by Kalu Kalu Agu, Counsel to Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CRPA), a nongovernment organization, the group categorically emphasized that the two public officials were foisting a ‘fait accompli’ on the court by craftily attempting to destroy the subject matter of the said suit pending before the court which has become a common tactics of intimidation against the vulnerable class by public officeholders. Conspiracy of ‘fait accompli’ has become a common tool some people in advantaged positions oppress the helpless by taking prejudicial actions before those affected hear about it, leaving them with no option but to accept it.

    According to the report, CRPA had dragged the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) before the Federal High Court, Abuja in a Suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1585/2020 premised on fraudulent and illegal award of contracts and usurpation of the constitutional duties of local council. However, despite the pendency of the suit before a court and the need for parties to maintain status quo till the final determination of the case, the Permanent Secretary and Director of Procurement allegedly continued to disregard the sanctity of the court.

    It was also observed that the Bureau of Public Procurement; a federal agency under the presidency has shown commitments to respect the rule of law and maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the said suit. The uncontrolled and unrestrained intimidations of the two officials of FCTA must be checkmated. The committal proceeding is in order. It is high time the country began to operate like other nations of the world and make public officeholders account for their commissions and omissions. South Africa has set the pace that nobody is indeed above the law by the committal of her former president, Jacob Zuma, a 79-year-old to 15-month jail term for contempt of the court. This is how a society grows, and build institutions beyond persons. There’s no better practical way to build a society other than making all classes of people be subject to the Rule of Law.

    Instructively, the Principle of Rule of Law is a safeguard against arbitrary governance and the foundation of good governance. Lord Denning in Gouriet V. Union of Post Office Workers (1977) 1 Q.B 729 @ 761-762 said: “… be you so high, the Law is above you”. Similarly, the Nigerian Supreme Court in Lagos State V. Ojukwu (1996) 1 NWLR (Pt 18) 621 noted that: ‘The rule of law presupposes that the State is subject to the law, that the judiciary is a necessary agency of the rule of law, that the Government should respect the right of individual citizens under the rule of law and that to the judiciary, is assigned both by the rule of law and by our constitution the determination of all actions and proceedings relating to matters in disputes between persons, Governments or Authority’.

    Buttressing the concept of rule of law to Constitutional Democracy and Good Governance, the Supreme Court in Miscellaneous Offences Tribunal v. Okorafor (2001) 18 NWLR (Pt 745) 310 at 327 stated “Nigerian constitution is founded on the rule of law, the primary meaning of which is that everything must be done according to law. It means also that government should be conducted within the framework of recognized rules and principles which restrict discretionary powers.” Let Rule of Law thrive.

    Umegboro, LLB, ACIArb is a public affairs analyst and social crusader.

  • Cholera: FCTA intensifies sensitisation as death toll reaches 60

    Cholera: FCTA intensifies sensitisation as death toll reaches 60

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified community sensitisation on cholera and severe diarrhoea diseases outbreak, as death toll rises from 54 to 60.

    The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, made the disclosure at the continuation of sensitisation on cholera and other acute diarrhoea diseases in Pyakasa and Gwagwa communities on Thursday in Abuja.

    Aliyu indicated that suspected cases of cholera in the territory rose from 604 to 698 within 72 hours.

    Represented by Dr Iwot Ndaeyo, the acting Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Health Care Board, the minister said that Abaji Area Council also recorded three suspected cases with no death.

    She said that “Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) recorded 281 suspected cases with 22 deaths and Bwari Area Council recorded 134 suspected cases with 22 deaths.

    “In Gwagwalada Area Council, 220 suspected cases with nine deaths were recorded, Kuje Area Council had 23 suspected cases with four deaths and Kwali Area Council recorded 37 suspected cases with three deaths.”

    Aliyu described the ugly trend as “unacceptable in the FCT”, adding that “the administration would not fold its hands and watch residents die helplessly over preventable diseases.

    “We must take every necessary steps to curb further spread.”

    She urged FCT residents and critical stakeholders to publicise the message of cholera prevention, proper sanitation
    with the practice of hand hygiene in their respective communities.

    Earlier, the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Alhaji Abdullahi Candido, affirmed the council’s commitment to forestall continuous spread of the disease to adjoining and other communities.

    He said the Primary Health Care Department of the council had embarked on sensitisation to
    the four chiefdoms in AMAC to enlighten the traditional rulers and their councils about the cholera outbreak and preventive measures.

    He added that “on our part as an area council, we swung into action immediately we received the news of the outbreak and its confirmation in June.

    “We quickly mobilised our health personnel in our primary healthcare facilities for prompt responses.

    “Following the recommendations from the outbreak report, we provided funds for quick purchase of drugs, infusions and other treatment materials and consumables, in addition to the ones we received from the FCT Public Health Department.”

    Candido noted that “the Disease Control Unit of our Primary Health Care Department through Disease Surveillance Notification Officers, had been working tirelessly in different communities of the council, including the hard-to-reach fields.

    “This will enable the officers to trace and report cases at the primary healthcare facilities for free treatment.”

    He, therefore, commended the professional competence, commitment and zeal of the council’s health workers and the Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCTA in combating the life threatening
    disease.

  • COVID-19: FCTA restricts all gatherings by 50% during Sallah celebrations

    COVID-19: FCTA restricts all gatherings by 50% during Sallah celebrations

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    The Federal Capital Territory Adminstration, FCTA has issued fresh Covid-19 guidelines restricting all religious activities by 50 percent during the Sallah celebrations.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the guidelines include holding capacity of Eid grounds should be reduced to 50% to ensure physical/social distancing

    This was the outcome of a meeting of the FCT Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) on COVID-19, chaired by the Minister of the FCT Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, which was convened on Friday, 16th of July 2021, to review the current situation of the pandemic in the FCT especially as it relates to the upcoming Sallah celebrations.

    ” From its deliberations, the meeting noted the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country and the FCT and the possibility of a third wave and sought for ways to curtail its spread.

    Guided by the advice of the health professionals, the following guidelines are hereby issued for the upcoming Eid-El-Kabir celebrations in the FCT;

    ” All Eid prayers in the FCT are to be held in the open spaces at Jumaat Mosques as well as the National Eid Ground. This is based on medical advice that it is safer to hold large gatherings in open air spaces than in enclosed structures;

    ” All open Eid grounds should have multiple entry and exit points with hand washing and temperature checking facilities;

    ” Imams should ensure that sermons are short so that the entire Eid prayers do not exceed one hour;

    ” All parks and recreational grounds and facilities shall remain closed throughout the festive period.

    “Worshippers are enjoined to adhere to all prescribed non-pharmaceutical preventive measures of facial coverings, constant hand washing and physical distancing.

  • FCTA warns against operating illegal ram market in Abuja

    FCTA warns against operating illegal ram market in Abuja

    As Muslims faithful across the globe are preparing for the Eid Kabir celebration, the chairman, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, Mr Ikharo Attah, on Friday, declared that the administration would be seeking forfeiture orders against livestock traders conducting businesses on major road corridors in the nation’s capital.

    He also warned them to desist from such acts, as his committee would not hesitate to take legal actions against violators.

    Attah, who gave this warning while leading his team on a raid of an illegal ram market around Dutse Alhaji, said the administration had sacked the market in the past, vowing to confiscate rams found in any illegal market in Abuja while the owners would be prosecuted in courts.

    According to him: “We want to get the ram selling very organised but we found out that people appear not to be willing to sell rams in an organised manner. We have given them points where they can sell rams so that those who want to buy will do so and sacrifice to Allah in line with the teachings of Islam.

    “What we did today, we saw that the rams came and we rushed there but before we got there, they had evacuated the rams and ran away. We want to insist that everyone who wants to sell rams in this city must do that in only designated areas.

    “We have the Dei-Dei ram market, the Kugbo ram market and all the abattoirs in Abuja which also have their ram markets attached and some few designated selling points in the city centre,” he stated.

    Reacting to the sudden reappearance of ram sellers in the area, the Head of Monitoring and Inspection, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Mr Kaka Bello, said the administration would re-enforce the evacuation order on the illegal market.

    He asked the livestock sellers to move to the designated markets, warning that the FCTA will not condone situations where people take advantage of festive periods to litter the streets and road corridors with livestock.

  • FCTA demolishes Fulani settlement

    FCTA demolishes Fulani settlement

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Joint Task Force (JTF) has demolished a Fulani Ruga settlement located very close to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Mr Ikharo Attah, Chairman, FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, who disclosed this on Sunday in Abuja, said this was due to contravention of sanitation regulations.

    He explained that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, had expressed displeasure over the continuing contravention on in and out-bounds of the roads.

    Attah stressed that the Airport road was a major gateway to the city centre of the nation’s capital and therefore all occupants would have to comply to rules and regulations.

    He disclosed that the minister, who visited the affected areas two months ago with key stakeholders, had held consultations with both residents and community leaders to sensitise them on the need to remove all the contravention.

    He added that two months notice was given to the affected people, but no compliance was recorded.

    “The minister gave matching orders that the contraventions be removed. Since then, we have been collaborating with district heads of the affected areas, giving them notices and warning.

    “We have actually given them two months and there is no compliance and that is why we have come to remove the contraventions,” Attah said.

    He added that with the help of joint security task force, the tempo of the exercise would be maintained to ensure full compliance.

  • FCTA issues seven-day ultimatum to banks to vacate Maitama

    FCTA issues seven-day ultimatum to banks to vacate Maitama

    The FCT Administration has issued a seven-day ultimatum to banks and other business organiations operating in Maitama area, Abuja to vacate and relocate to the Central Business District or risk being sealed up.

    The Acting Director, Department of Development Control, Mr Garba Kwamkur, gave the warning when the department visited the popular Gana Street in Maitama on Tuesday.

    Kwamkur explained that the objective of the visit was to sensitise business operators on the need to revert all the banks and other commercial hubs to their original allocated locations.

    “The department had a week ago served notification to all the buildings that have been converted to commercial use to revert them to the residential purposes but they failed to comply,” he said.

    Kwamkur directed the banks and other business organisations to relocate to Central Business District or Idu Industrial Estate which the FCT master plan provided for.

    The acting director warned that their business premises would be sealed off at the expiration of the seven days ultimatum.

    Meanwhile, Kwamkur, revealed that over 200 hectares of land in the Federal Capital City had been encroached by illegal land grabbers raising unapproved structures around the Lugbe District.

    According to him, over 150 criminals have encroached into areas meant for public facilities in the Sabon-Luge area of the district.

    “As you are aware the FCT Administration has pronounced that Lugbe will be incorporated into the Federal Capital City proper.

    “So the plan is being incorporated to have the same kind of infrastructure as those in the city.

    “This area was planned for public facilities such as schools, markets, hospitals, and other public utilities.

    “But land grabbers have now encroached into the area and captured all the plots meant for public facilities and are developing them as housing estates.

    “Thereby denying space for the necessary amenities that will be needed for the district in the future,” he said.

    Kwamkur added that the department would forward the list of suspected offenders to the FCT Police commissioner to track and prosecute them as specified by the law.

  • Abuja monarch suspended over alleged security breach

    Abuja monarch suspended over alleged security breach

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has suspended the Chief of Anagada, Malam Alhassan Musa, in Gwagwalada Area Council.

    The traditional ruler was suspended over security reports indicting him.

    FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu who disclosed this during a meeting with all graded chiefs in the territory warned that the FCTA would not spare any traditional ruler aiding and abetting criminality in his domain.

    Aliyu, who expressed confidence in the traditional institution, however, stated that with the recent insecurity challenges in some parts of the territory, the graded chiefs should be in constant touch with the village heads.

    She, however, assured that the FCT Administration would soon embark on “operation know your neighbour, stay safe, and stay alive”, stressing that such move would enable the administration to profile total strangers who do not have any business staying in the nation’s capital.

    The minister, in a statement issued on Tuesday by her Special Assistant Media, Austine Elemue, said: “Regrettably, we are starting this gathering with security report indicting one of the royal fathers in Gwagwalada Area Council. I don’t know how it will end, but we must begin to look closely at ourselves or activities.

    “Royal stools are now being bastardised by some traditional rulers. The security agencies in their reports indicted one of you and we tried as much as possible to see how we can get to the bottom of the matter. Unfortunately, it was overruled because the report is not ours; it came from one of the security agencies. Therefore, we are not in a position to look into his case.

    “It is not in our character, no matter the level of poverty to betray the trust bestowed on you as a traditional ruler and the custodian of our traditions. This will not be acceptable in the seat of government where Mr. President is the Governor General.

    “Go and discuss with your various village heads and give them a sound warning that those found wanting will not be spared. And no one has the right to accommodate total strangers or group of people especially now that we are facing challenges of insecurity.

    “You cannot accommodate strangers you do not know. The people you accommodate can betray you. The people you habour in your communities can be informants or bandits. At the end of the day, we battle with insurgents”.

    Responding on behalf of the graded chiefs, the chairman of FCT traditional council of chiefs and the Ona of Abaji, HRM. Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa assured the minister that her message would be handed down to the village heads.

    The royal father also used the opportunity to appeal to the authorities concern to do anything possible with a view to filling the gaps in some chiefdoms.

  • FCTA bans open grazing in Abuja

    FCTA bans open grazing in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration has prohibited open grazing of cattle in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    The Administration said it had communicated the directive to the leadership of the Fulani herdsmen in the FCT.

    The Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Hassan Abubakar who disclosed this stated that the one-month ultimatum issued to the pastoralists had expired, adding that violators would be sanctioned henceforth.

    The decision of the FCTA is coming against the ban on open grazing by the Northern Governors’ Forum, which described the practice as outdated.

    The AEPB director said over 100 cattle earlier confiscated were returned after their owners were fined by courts, adding that any herdsman found grazing his animals on Abuja streets would be penalised heavily.

    A special team, he said, had been constituted to enforce the directive.

    Abubakar further revealed that the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, had earmarked five locations for cattle grazing in Abaji, Kwali and Kuje Area Councils.

    He said, “We held meetings with the leadership of Fulani herdsmen in the FCT and they have agreed on so many issues. We have given them time, which they asked for, and when the time lapses, we will strike. They are not allowed to graze inside the city; that’s prohibited.

    “Even the minister has approved some grazing areas where RUGA is going to be created; about five areas. We have one around Kwali; another one in Abaji and one in Kuje.

  • FCTA to demolish 2 night clubs

    FCTA to demolish 2 night clubs

    The Federal Capital Terriory Administration (FCTA) says it will demolish Cool Leo and Paris Nightclubs in Karu Site for arbitrary change of land use from residential to mix use of commercial and hospitality purposes.

    Mr Ihkaro Attah, Head, Public Enlightenment, FCTA Ministerial Taskforce on Enforcement of COVID-19 Protocols, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

    Attah said that FCTA authorities would stop at nothing to ensure demolition of the two popular night clubs unless they reverted to approved residential land use for the area.

    “Two clubs in Karu Site, very offensive clubs, have been asked to close. They operate in residential area, against COVID-19 protocols and disrupt the peace of residents at night.

    “They are Paris Club and Cool Lea and they have been sealed off indefinitely.

    “If they revert to the original land use, should they refuse to revert, then we invoke other aspects of FCT Master Plan and demolish. We will not allow them to continue disturbing the neighbourhood.”

    He also revealed that 29 persons were arrested over violation of COVID-19 guidelines, explaining that they were apprehended, brought before the court and subsequently the judge found them guilty and they were given the option of fine, which they all paid the fines.

    “We want residents to know that the fundamental thing to do is to obey health protocols, conform with it going forward, and ensure that they live peacefully and happily.

    “So all we are doing is to vigorously continue with FCT COVID-19 contravention enforcement directive given by the Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello and the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, our Chairman that we go out and sustain COVID-19 health protocols.”

    Attah commended level of compliance with COVID-19 protocols in Abuja, saying it is very high, compared to other places in the country.

  • FCTA seals clinic over conduct of Covid-19 tests, issuance of fake certificates to travellers

    FCTA seals clinic over conduct of Covid-19 tests, issuance of fake certificates to travellers

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) COVID-19 Protocols Enforcement Taskforce on Friday sealed a private clinic over alleged illegal conduct of Coronavirus (COVID-19) tests and issuance of fake certificates to intending international travellers.

    The Chairman, FCTA COVID-19 Facilities Accreditation Committee, Dr Yakubu Mohammed, who led the operation said credible information revealed that BMT Tourist Clinic and Diagnostic Centre was carrying out the illegal activities.

    Mohammed said the clinic located in Wuse II District was never given approval to carry out COVID-19 healthcare services.

    On his part, Mr Ihkaro Attah, Head, Media and Enlightenment of the taskforce disclosed that medical experts confirmed that the clinic was contravening important guidelines in the handling of the pandemic.

    Attah noted that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had also alerted the FCT Minister over the unethical practices of the clinic, hence the need to quickly seal it and save residents of untoward health emergency.

    He further revealed that NCDC had expressed concerns over the illegal practices of some illegal health facilities capable of casting doubts on the fight against the pandemic.

    According to him, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has vowed that both organisations and individuals engaging in illegal COVID -19 health services must be prosecuted.

    Attah used the occasion to warn members of the public to be wary of unscrupulous merchants who wanted to feed fat on people’s ignorance.

    ” The FCT minister’s office got a tip that there was contravention to the guidelines regarding testing for COVID-19 and issuance of certificate, be it negative or positive.

    “The health response team and the enforcement team are here because there is a credible information, as it is coming from the office of Director-General, NCDC himself, notifying us that what the clinic was doing is a contravention.

    ”The FCTA has decided that this illegality cannot stand, we are here to seal this place and also warn all other illegal health facilities to stop doing so.

    ”It is only duly accredited facilities by FCT Health Secretariat and NCDC that can issue such certificates so that once the certificate comes out either positive and negative, one can be sure,” he said.

    Attah also cautioned the public especially those travelling to patronise only facilities approved by FCT Health Secretariat and NCDC.

    He emphasised that the taskforce would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone found wanting