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Tag: FCT Minister

  • Buhari would deliver free, fair elections – FCT Minister

    Buhari would deliver free, fair elections – FCT Minister

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

     The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has conveyed President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to deliver a free, fair , credible and transparent elections process as Nigerians decides their next leaders.

      Malam Bello made this known at the 14th edition of the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    According to him, the government has over the last seven years repositioned the Nigerian economy via growth and economic sustainability outside of the oil and gas sector.

     
     This action, he said, placed the Nigerian economy on the path of growth and recovery which a free, fair and credible election would sustain.

      Speaking on the theme for the event, “Credible Elections and an Economy in Transit”, the minister described it as timely, as the upcoming 2023 general elections could be considered as the, “the most important leadership recruitment decisions to confront Nigerians in recent times.”

    He added that, “His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted on bequeathing to Nigeria a free, fair, credible and transparent election”.  

    The Minister also commended a recipient of th award , Chairman of Afrexim bank, Dr. Benedict Oramah for his contributions to development of the FCT health sector.
     

     He said, “The recognition of Dr Benedict Oramah, Chairman of Afreximbank resonates with us in the FCT as this international financial institution which he heads has keyed into our vision of making Abuja a global destination for the provision of world class healthcare with the construction of a 200-bed hospital in the city.

     “Let me therefore seize this opportunity to call on other organisations and business concerns who share in our dream for the development of Abuja into a world class city to partner with us in this regard”, he added.

    He commended other awardees like former Prime Minister of Kenya, Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga , Wife of the Late Sam Nda Isaiah, and Chairman of the Leadership Group, Mrs. Zainab Nda Isaiah, the management and staff of the Group for sustaining the annual event and keeping alive the memory and legacies of Sam Nda-Isiah whom he described as a patriot and one of Nigeria’s great visionaries.

     
      The Minister along with the Vice President, HE Yemi Osinbajo, Hon. Raila Odinga and the Etsu Nupe, HRH Alh. Yahaya Abubakar were bestowed with special recognition awards.

  • FCT to resume Abuja light rail before end of Buhari’s Tenure – FCT Minister hints

    FCT to resume Abuja light rail before end of Buhari’s Tenure – FCT Minister hints

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has given assurance that the Abuja Light Rail Service would resume before the end of his administration in May, 2023.

    The Minister gave the assurance when he featured the 20th Edition of the President Buhari’s administration Scorecard Series, organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, in Abuja Nigeria’s capital.

    He said that an important milestone achievement of President Buhari’s administration is the infrastural development is the Abuja Light Rail.

    The Minister explained that the Abuja Light Rail is presently not working because of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

    When we can in 2015, about 52 per cent of the projects were done and we pushed it to 100 per cent.

    ” We had to stop the operation because a the light train system basically is a mass movement, so if you don’t have much sitting capacity many people will stand up and when you stand up you face each other.”

    ” So, it was obviously very difficult to maintain social distance but we are done with that all the carriages are here and by the grace of God before we leave it will resume.”

    According to the Minister, about 12 stations have been completed and about five are under construction, adding that that is part the development structures in the satellite towns aimed at encouraging residents to live in the suburbs.

  • Minister charges new AIG to intensity fight against criminality in the territory

    Minister charges new AIG to intensity fight against criminality in the territory

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has charged the new Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 7 Headquarters Abuja, Kayode Egbetokun to intensity the fight against crime and criminality in the Territory.

     The Minister made this charge when the AIG led a delegation   of senior police officers from the zone on a courtesy visit to the FCTA on Wednesday, 4th January 2023.

    According to him, a lot of progress has been made in the fight against serious crime such as kidnapping especially in the rural areas of the FCT with the arrest of kidnappers as well as their financiers and supporters.

    This has led to the rescue of many victims and called on the AIG to ensure that the progress recorded continues, he noted

    The Minister said, “I want to say that within the recent past, a lot of progress has been made by your officers and men, starting from your zone, the Command of the FCT, as well as the DPO levels and I think this is very commendable.”

    “The issue of kidnapping had been of grave concern especially to our rural communities. I’m very happy that tremendous success has been recorded in the last few weeks, resulting in a lot of releases, rescue and also arrest of those who are involved, including their financiers and their supporters. I pray that this continues.”

    Furthermore, he described the relationship between the FCT Administration and the police Zonal Command as a very long symbiotic partnership in which the FCTA will continue to provide the needed support and requirement to the police to enable it effectively carry out its responsibilities; which will ultimately augur well for the country and send out the right signals to the international community.

     
      Bello urged the new AIG to work hard in his new post and wished him the best saying that serving in the FCT has a lot of advantages.

     
      He said, “Serving in the FCT has a lot of advantage. If you work very well, easily, it is seen. If you look at the history of all those who served as AIG Zone 7, most of them ended up being propelled to higher responsibilities. My prayer to you is that you will serve well here and may God make it easy for you and make you have a very successful tenure.”

    The new AIG Kayode Egbetokun said that the primary purpose of his visit to the FCTA was to express his appreciation to the FCT Minister for his commitment to ensuring security in the FCT and for the support granted to Zone 7 and FCT Police Command, especially for the operational vehicles given to the police in 2022.

     AIG Egbetokun said, “I thank you very much for the commitment that you have shown for the protection of lives and property in the FCT. I also want to assure you that those vehicles you gave us have been put into judicious use and they have seriously impacted on operations within the FCT.”

    ” I am also here to assure you that we are doing our best to support your efforts in protecting lives and properties in the FCT.”

     
    The FCT, AIG Egebtokun reiterated the Zonal Command’s commitment to the FCT.

    He said, “We are improving on our deployment every day. We are doing our best and working so hard to ensure that there is efficient utilization of resources available at our disposal.”

     
       “We are constantly reviewing and reassessing our anti-crime strategies with a view to evolving new strategies that will meet evolving challenges. We are committed to the training of our officers and men to ensure that they are sensitive to the rule of law and that they are committed to protection of human rights”. the AIG added.

  • Minister pledges support for FCT Police Command

    Minister pledges support for FCT Police Command

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has pledged the FCT Administration’s support to the FCT police command in the discharge of its duties of securing the Territory.

    Bello made this pledge when the new FCT Police Commissioner, Dr Idris Abubakar Sadiq who paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday.

     The Minister noted that the new CP was coming to the FCT with immense experience in policing and also some experience in the FCT Command having begun his career in the police force in the FCT.

    He further expressed optimism that the new CP will build upon the successes of his predecessors, ading that had all contributed immensely in building the FCT Command to what it is today.

     
    He prayed that God will grant the new CP success in the Command, as well as the cooperation of his men.

    CP Idris Abubakar Sadiq in his remarks commended the Minister for all the support the FCT Administration had rendered to the FCT Police Command and promised that the command will evolve new strategies to further secure the nation’s capital.

     
    He also pledged the loyalty of the Command to the FCT Administration and emphasized the readiness of the officers and men to diligently carry out their duties of security in the territory.

    The new CP said, “I wish to assure the Hon. Minister of our loyalty and our readiness and commitment to duty and to emphasize that we shall continue to do our best and I am sure with the support of the Hon Minister, which he has been giving, and what we may enjoy again, it will make our job easy.”

      He also pledged to ensure that the officers and men of the Command are diligent in the discharge of their duties considering the fact that happenings in the nation’s capital is what Nigeria is largely be perceived by the international community.

  • IGR: FCT Minister warns tax defaulters against evading payment

    IGR: FCT Minister warns tax defaulters against evading payment

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has warned tax defaulters who evade payment to desist from such act as it hinders efforts towards improving the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, source of the Territory.

    Bello noted that their actions are not only morally wrong but also a serious criminal offence which attracts severe penalties.

    The minister gave this warning today in Abuja at a Town hall meeting organized by the Intern Revenue Service (FCT- IRS) , to enlighten FCT residents on the need for issuance of Tax Clearance Certificate for tax payers in the Territory.

    He stressed that for the Administration to continue to provide world class infrastructure in the city, there is need to improve the revenue base, adding that this can only be achieved by a robust policy where all FCT residents pay their taxes for the overall development of the city

    “As residents and business owners, you have a sacred responsibility of paying your tax to help the Administration in ensuring the FCT that we desire.”

    I therefore, use this opportunity to send a note of strong warning to tax evaders to desist from their actions”, he stressed.

    According to the minister, the efforts of the FCT- IRS, with the cooperation of residents has earned FCT the position of the second highest internally generating city in the country.

    He noted that the Administration is however mindful of complaints of multiple taxation and other taxation related challenges.

    “This matter is also of grave concern to us and we are taking measures to resolve the issue because it also impacts
    negatively on our efforts of encouraging investment in the
    Territory.”

    The minister also commended the Acting Executive Chairman and
    management of the FCT -IRS for the initiative of holding the Town Hall meeting to educate residents and other stakeholders on the import of the Tax policy which is designed to benefit all.

    Acting Executive Chairman FCT-IRS, Haruna Y. Abdullahi, said while working towards ensuring provision of Taxpayer-centric services, it will not hesitate to take punitive
    measures against defaulters.

    Abdullahi however urged FCT
    residents and other stakeholders to choose voluntary compliance over compulsion, which maybe the last resort .

    He noted that the growth and development of the FCT can easily be achieved when residents of the FCT pay their taxes as and when due.

    Abdullahi emphazied the need to demand for Tax Verification by individuals and Financial institutions.

    Meanwhile, he warned that the failure to demand and verify a Tax Clearance Certificate presented by an individual is liable to sanctions and possible conviction with a fine of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) or three
    years imprisonment or both the fine and imprisonment according to the relevant tax laws.

    “As the relevant tax authority for Personal Income Tax administrations, we have a vital role to play in ensuring strict adherence to the contents of this publication.”

    The FCT-IRS has trained its staff on effective monitoring and enforcement procedures as well as investigation for violations of any aspect of the tax laws, Abdullahi said.

    Daybreak reports that present at the Town Hall meeting were Chairmen of FCT Area Councils, representatives from CBN, FMSDAs, FCT-SDAs, Corporate and financial institutions.

  • FCT Minister suspends development at Katampe Extension over distortion of Abuja Masterplan

    FCT Minister suspends development at Katampe Extension over distortion of Abuja Masterplan

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad.Musa Bello has ordered immediate suspension of illegal development of Katampe Extension over distortion of the Abuja Masterplan.

    The minister issued the directive to stop all activities in the area yesterday over proliferation of illegal estate development, illegal quarry allegedly constituting serious environmental challenges in the area, which is against the principle guiding the development of the city.

    Coordinator Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, AMMC, Umar Shuaibu during a routine monitoring exercise disclosed that the Administration discovered that there were a lot of illegal development in the area which are not approved to anybody to commence development in the area.

    Shuaibu warned everyone from carrying out earth works and other nefarious activities, adding such people will be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

    The AMMC boss, who was accompanied by the representative of all the relevant departments and agencies in the development of the city, including the Police that provided security cover to the officials at the site, promised that all activities will be subjected to scrutiny by the relevant professionals.

    The FCT Minister has further directed that all matters relating to quarry activity should be channeled to the newly established Department of Solid mineral and allied matters, which is the regulatory authority.

    “So, from now, we have stopped whatever activity that is taking place here for any type of development, as whatever development that is going on here is illegal, because we have not given approval to anybody to commence development here.”

    “And that is why we are having environmental challenges. People are blasting rocks here, thereby endangering the houses around, so there is no way we can allow it to continue.”

    “Whatever development that involves rock blasting, must go through the Solid mineral and Allied matters Department, which is created to take care of that now. “

    And anybody who is blasting rocks and clearing land here is doing so illegally, and anyone caught in the act will be arrested”, the minister warned.

  • FCT Minister Approves Movement of Directors

    FCT Minister Approves Movement of Directors

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, has approved the immediate movement of some Directors in the service of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

    According to a statement by the Director if Information, and Communication, Muhammad Hazat Sule, the redeployment is to reenergize the respective Secretariats, Departments and Agencies for optimal service delivery to the public.

    According to the letters of redeployment signed by Muhammad Bashir, Director, Human Resource Management, FCTA, on behalf of the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola,  the affected Directors as: - Prospect Chukwuemeka Ibe, a Director of Administration now redeployed to take charge of Admin & Finance, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public Private Partnership Secretariat; Wadata Alhaji Dogo Aliyu Bodinga is now the Director of Traffic Management Department in the Transportation Secretariat; Engr. Ahmed Aliyu Nahuche a Director in the FCTA, now moved to Social Development Secretariat as Director, Department of Planning Research & Statistics; Pawa Justina former Director of Finance & Accounts, Universal Basic Education and has been redeployed as Director, Admin & Finance, Social Development Secretariat.

    Others are Nanre Emeje has been moved to the FCT Treasury Department as Director of Budget; Felix Obiora Nwankwo moved to Abuja Metropolitan Management Council as Director, Facility Maintenance & Management; Omoniyi Olaloye Marufu formerly Director, Facility Maintenance & Management and now Director of a new established Department of Solid Minerals & Allied Matters under the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council; while Daniel Salka Audu formerly, Director, Admin & Finance, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public Private Partnership Secretariat, is to now handle affairs at the FCT Water Board as Director, Admin & Finance.

    The Administration, has urged the newly redeployed officers to display utmost dedicated and diligence in the discharge of their responsibilities; adding that they should rise to the challenges of their new offices.

  • FCT Minister flags- off renovation of Area one Federal Secretariat Complex

    FCT Minister flags- off renovation of Area one Federal Secretariat Complex

    …Calls for maintenance of public buildings

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    FCT Minister , Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello has flagged- Off the renovation works on of the Area One the Federal Secretariat Complex Phase One in Abuja.

    In a ceremony on Tuesday to kick start the renovation work at the Secretariat complex , the minister described the exercise as a milestone in the efforts by the FCTA to renovate public buildings and infrastructure in the Federal Territory.

     He disclosed that the Federal Secretariat Complex, like many other public buildings in the FCT was constructed 30 years ago and required rehabilitation.

    Bello noted that the exercise is the culmination of several discussions with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation who was very passionate about the provision of conducive working environment for civil servants.

    The Minister said “This phase of what we are doing is just a tip of the iceberg in what needs to be done. We have to all work together to get funding to rehabilitate this building and all the other public buildings in Abuja.”

    Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad explained that the contract of the first phase was awarded to Messrs. Julius Berger Plc at the sum of N8,110,665,676.79 with completion period of 24 months.

    He noted that the current FCT Administration has spent most of its time completing ongoing projects and is now trying to rehabilitate the roads that were built 30 years ago, adding that failure to do this will make it difficult to derive utility out of the existing projects.

      Meanwhile, the minister has frowned at the level of abuse of public buildings in the FCT, as he called for reforms in the existing procurement system for the maintenance of public facilities and suggested that a cadre of civil servants should be established for the maintenance of the public buildings

    Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Mrs. Folashade Esan, commended the FCT Administration for working to ensure that the environment where civil servants spend most of their time is conducive with the added benefits of increased productivity.

  • Abuja Mass Rail operations to resume soon, as FCT minister visits Control Center

    Abuja Mass Rail operations to resume soon, as FCT minister visits Control Center

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    As part of plans to resume the Abuja Mass Rail Transit operations, the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello has visited the Operation Control Centre, OCC, in Idu, Abuja to review the project before lifting its suspension.

    Bello who was accompanied by senior officials of the FCTA held a strategic meeting with officials of the China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC)at the Operation Control Center (OCC) of the rail system to review the Rail project.

    FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola , after an extensive tour of the OCC said that the visit to the Center was to review the project and determine what actions to be taken within the shortest possible time, to restore the Abuja Mass Rail Transit system back into operation.

    Adesola said, “The FCT Administration has made substantial investment in this project with the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria. You will recall that the project was test run shortly after it was commissioned and thereafter, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a forced closure and suspension of the operations.”

    ” COVID-19 is over and we are desirous to resume operations. But there are certain issues that were not intended that had arisen, which will require attention. This is the purpose of coming here to look at the project in its entirety and to know actions to be taken within the shortest possible time, to restore the Abuja Mass Rail Transit system back into operation.”

    Furthermore, he said, “A lot of high-powered decisions were reached, which we will give effect to as directed by the Minister. We will look forward to a quick resumption of the operation of the train system.”

    He also disclosed that safety is not left out in preparation for the resumption of operations, as measures had been put in place to ensure the security of the entire length of the light rail system in addition to the security that will be provided on board by other government agencies.

    “So, for the security of Abuja Rail Mass Transit, it is guaranteed. When we resume operations, everybody can travel in it safely” the Permanent Secretary added.

  • Bello tasks JUAC on Proper Maintenance of Allocated Recreational Park

    Bello tasks JUAC on Proper Maintenance of Allocated Recreational Park

    …Warns staff against unauthorized allocation of parks

    By Joyce Remi- Babaueju

    The FCT Minister Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello has tasked the Joint Union Action Committee, JUAC, the umbrella body of the various employees’ unions in the Federal Capital Territory Administration to properly maintain a Recreationnal Park which was allocated to the Union.
    Bello announced the park allocation in Abuja on Friday, September 30, 2022, during the third quarter meeting with JUAC which was held at the park ground.
    According to the Minister, the Park will be open for use for all staff of the FCTA and its numerous agencies for recreational and sporting activities as well as sundry ceremonial events.

     The Minister disclosed that the park which is an officially designated green area located on plot number 1470, BO5 at the Utako District of the city, said that the allocation was part of efforts by the FCT Administration to ensure the greening and beautification of the city, adding that it should be used to showcase how Parks should be managed in the nation’s capital.

    He further disclosed that the Departments of Parks and Recreation and  Development Control as well as the AEPB and FCDA  have been mandated to ensure that the Park is properly fenced,  well maintained and kept clean at all time, to meet the required standards of park operations in the city.

     The Minister who also spoke against the practice of converting Parks and Gardens in the FCT for uses other than what is prescribed by law, cautioned the Union against erecting permanent structures in the Park, insisting that it should be used strictly for recreational activities.

     Meanwhile he also warned the Parks and Recreation Department of the FCT against the illegal and unauthorized allocation of parks in the FCT, stressing that any official of the Department that is found guilty of engaging in such acts would be heavily sanctioned alongside their collaborators.

      Reacting to the unexpected gesture from the Minister, FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr.  Olusade Adesola, commended the Minister for going the extra mile to allocate a very central and accessible Park for use by staff of the FCT Administration. He attributed the gesture to the Minister’s principle and love for  FCTA staff and everyone.

      Adesola assured that the Park would be well maintained by relevant agencies of the FCT Administration to make it a model for parks operation in the FCT.

    He said, “We will support the efforts of JUAC to make this place well maintained and useful to all of us. We will make it a model park so that anybody that wants to talk about Parks operation will say come to our park and see how to run a park. We will maintain opening and closing times and  limit our activities to what is required to run a park.”

     The JUAC Chairman, Comrade Korede Matilukuro, who expressed his appreciation at the gesture with solidarity songs and dances, pledged that the park will indeed be well maintained and used strictly for the purposes for which it was allocated.