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  • Candido Now New Secretary for Transportation Secretariat

    Candido Now New Secretary for Transportation Secretariat

    … As minister makes other appointments

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The FCT Minister Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello has appointed former AMAC Chairman Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido as the new Secretary of the FCTA Transportation Secretariat.

    Candido’s whose new appointment which takes immediate effect has replaced Angulu Dobi who resigned his appointment to contest for the senatorial ticket of the FCT in the forthcoming general elections  which he has secured under the APC.

    Before the appointment Adamu Candido was a two term elected Executive Chairman of AMAC under the All Progressives Congress , APC , party from 2026-2022.
    He was born on the 3rd of December 1965 in Jiwa, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),

    Furthermore others appointed were Farida Odangi Suleiman as the new Senior Special Assistant (Special Duties) to the FCT Minister in place of Hon. Zari Ribadu who also re-signed his appointment as Senior Special Assistant,( Special Duties ) to the Minister to contest for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of the FCT in the forthcoming 2023 general election under the APC.
     
      .
    Suleiman holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Estate Management as well as a Masters degree in Environmental Impact Assessment from the Federal University of Technology Minna.

      The Minister also appointed Engr. Hassan Umar Danjuma and Engr. Tauheed Amusan as Chairman and General Manager of the FCT Water Board, respectively.

     
    Danjuma who holds Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Engineering from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with over 30 years of experience as an engineer, is a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and has a specialization in design, construction and management of civil engineering projects.

     
     Engr Amusan who is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers has a specialisation in diverse areas of civil engineering and project management for water supply, roads, district infrastructure and environmental engineering.

     Amusan joined the services of the FCTA in 1991 and until his appointment as the GM of FCT Water Board, was seconded as Special Assistant (Technical) to the Hon Minister of Water Resources since 2015.

     While   Abubakar Sadiq Maina was also appointed as the Group Managing Director of the Abuja Investment Company Limited, a subsidiary of the FCT Administration.

      Born on 24th April 1974, Abubakar Sadiq Maina graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Maiduguri in 1998 and has about twenty-two (22) years of portfolio management experience.

     
    Meanwhile, the Minister has also ratified the appointment of Zanna Alhaji Hamza as the substantive Director of the FCT Treasury (DOT). The new DOT has been serving in acting capacity since the retirement of his predecessor.

    Hamza Zanna Alhaji, who is a fellow member of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria holds bachelor and Masters Degrees in Accounting from the Universities of Maiduguri and Lagos respectively.

     All appointments take immediate effect.

  • FEC Earmarks N718M to secure Abuja Rail Transit Track Against Vandals

    FEC Earmarks N718M to secure Abuja Rail Transit Track Against Vandals

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello has disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has earmarked the sum of N718,194,250 million through approved contract to secure Abuja Rail Mass Transit phase 1 (Lots 3 and 1A against vandalism.

     Bello made this known after the FEC meeting held on Wednesday, 24th August 2022, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

     He explained that the contract was awarded to two security service providers namely Messrs Al-Ahli Security Guards Ltd, at the cost of N407, 214, 000 million, covering a distance of 27.245 kilometers comprising eight rail stations and Messrs Segad Security Protective Company Ltd, at the cost of N310, 979, 250 million, covering a distance of 18 kilometers, comprising four stations.

     According to the minister the scope of the contract, which is within a period of two years, includes protection of the rail tracks, Communication and Control Centre infrastructure as well as electrical and signaling equipment.

     
    Also the Acting Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, Usman Musa Yahaya who gave more details on the contract explained that the provision of emergency security services to the rail tracks became imperative following vandalization of portions of the track.

     Yahaya recalled that following the commissioning the Abuja Rail Mass Transit operation in June, 2018, provision of rail services continued till the nation-wide lock down, which was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that within that period vandals took advantage of the lock down and vandalized some of the rail facilities.

    He noted that the approval of th a very good one for the FCT because it will go a long way in securing the rail track.

  • FCT Minister appeals for UN support to fight malaria

    FCT Minister appeals for UN support to fight malaria

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

      Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has appealed to the UN Foundation for support to tackle the menace of malaria, which he described as the new frontier in disease control and eradication in Nigeria and indeed sub Saharan Africa.

      Bello made this appeal when he received a delegation from the United Nations Foundation’s Global Immunization Learning Trip to Nigeria, on a courtesy visit to the FCTA on Tuesday, 16th August 2022.

     He noted that the successful eradication of malaria will result in positive social change as it will enhance economic productivity, reduce infant mortality, improve security and ensure the general wellbeing of the populace.

     
    The Minister also appealed for the supply of the newly developed malaria vaccine in Nigeria, which he said would benefit g society and humanity .

     While thanking the Government and people of the United States  of America for their interventions in the fight against diseases such as polio and guinea worm where he especially acknowledged the Carter Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Minister also thanked the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

       The Minister also emphasized on the collaborative efforts of traditional and religious institutions, philanthropic organisations the government and the citizenry in the battle against diseases of public health concern.

     He said “eradicating diseases of this nature (polio) requires a lot of interface with the leaders of religious and cultural communities. I think that is key and the turning point in fighting polio in Nigeria, especially in the North, when the Sultan of Sokoto came on board, galvanized leaders within the traditional and religious communities to understand that polio was a medical issue and was treatable.”

     WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the who led the delegation made up of US Congressional staff, USAID officials, UN Foundation Officials and the WHO, said that the delegation was in Nigeria to ascertain the impact of the United States’ investment in polio eradication in Nigeria while taking into consideration the fact that the disease has not been completely eliminated.

     Mulombo said, “the team is here to learn what has been the impact of that investment on polio eradication itself, bearing in mind that the work is not yet done as we still have some cases of wild polio virus in two countries. So, we would like to know how Nigeria has used US government investment in polio and also to strengthen some other areas of immunization.”

    Director, Global Health Advocacy/Immunization and Global Health Security of the UN Foundation, Mr. Brian Massa said that Nigeria had over the years has performed well in its efforts at polio eradication but said that there was still work to be done.

  • FCT Minister morns with JIWA Area Council over death of Hon. Musa Tanko Abari

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has on behalf on the Administration mourned with the people of Jiwa in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) over the death of Honourable Musa Tanko Abari, FCT APC Chieftain and  Commissioner representing the FCT at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

    Hon Abari died Tuesday, 9th August 2022, in Abuja, after a brief illness.

    The Minister who led Chieftains of the All Progressives Party (APC) in the FCT and top officials of the FCT Administration on a condolence visit to Chief of Jiwa, HRH, Dr. Idris Musa and the family of the deceased, described the late Commissioner as a worthy son of Jiwa, whose death has created a vacuum in the hearts of the people.

    Malam Bello who spoke in Hausa prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Tanko Abari and that Allah grants him eternal rest.

    He also prayed that Almighty  Allah grant the family, friends and indeed, the people of Jiwa the strength to bear the loss, while also supplicating for good health for those he left behind as well as peace and growth in the community.

    He said, “You have lost a confidant, you have lost a friend, and you have lost a neighbour. We are hoping Allah will forgive him and also give you good health, upliftment and bring peace in your community, FCT and Nigeria as a whole.”

    The Minister also visited the home of the deceased where he offered prayers with family members for the repose of his soul.

    The Chief of Jiwa, described the late Commissioner as a good man whose death has left a mark in the community and will be missed by all, adding that the loss is not only for his children, but also for FCT residents and Nigeria as whole.  May Almighty forgive him and have mercy on his soul.

    He called on political leaders in the FCT to eschew politics with bitterness, stressing that life was short and each may be called to the Almighty at any time.

    The Chief urged all to exercise caution in the use social media in electioneering, stressing on the need for all to work together to move the FCT and the country forward.

  • Security: Operational vehicles, gadgets to gulp N2.6m- Minister

    Security: Operational vehicles, gadgets to gulp N2.6m- Minister

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello today disclosed that the Federal Capital Territory, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has approved the sum of N2.6 million for the purchase of operational vehicles and various security equipment to support security agencies to protect the lives and properties of FCT residents.

     
      Bello who made this known at the end of the FEC meeting said the approval involved two contracts totaling N 2,682, 248,378.52K, adding that the first contract is for the procurement of 60 units of Ford Ranger 4×4 wheel drive vehicles with security communication accessories including 3 years post sales service was awarded to Messrs Coscharis Motors Ltd at the sum of N1,835,108,613.95k.

     
    According to the minister, the second contract which is for the purchase of various security gadgets and accessories to support security agencies in the FCT, was awarded to Messrs E&S Technology Ltd at the sum of N847,139,764.57.

     According to the he Minister , the massive support to security agencies, would help to curtail security challenges in the FCT will be further enhanced.

     
    He also appealed to residents of the Territory to support the FCT Administration and the security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality in the nation’s capital by being security conscious and providing useful information to the relevant authorities when possible.

  • FCT Minister Reopens Millennium Park for Public Use

    FCT Minister Reopens Millennium Park for Public Use

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    After two years of shutdown, the the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, on Monday, 1st August 2022 reopened the Millennium Park, Abuja, for public use.
    The park was closed to the public in 2020 as part of the Administration’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID -19.

    Bello accompanied by members of the FCT Executive Committee and other senior officials of the FCTA, was assisted by Engr. Gerrano D’ittria, project manager of Salini Nig Ltd, removed the sign that had indicated the closure of the park and pushed open its gates signifying its reopening for public use.
     
    During a tour of the park, the FCT Minister remarked that the Millennium Park represents what parks and gardens in the nation’s capital should look and function like.

    He said, “What we have seen today and what we have witnessed is what truly a Park is supposed to be in Abuja; very beautiful well-kept lawns with fountains and the protection of the ecosystem.”

    “The trees here are as old as Abuja,  the water body, the fish and the alligators have been protected and more importantly, this is truly speaking, what Abuja stands for – a beautiful green city” he added.”

      Commenting on the versatility of the park as an ideal, environmentally friendly recreation area, the Minister said “Look at the bamboo grove, at the bamboo benches, that is the whole essence of what we are trying to do with parks in the FCT.

     
     “There is an area for adults, there is a playground for children, there is a place for people who want to exercise and those who want to just observe and study nature. More importantly, materials used here are also sustainable. This is what a park should be.”

     
        “They have an opening time, they have a closing time, they have perimeter fence, they have light, they have security, they have toilets and they have points where you drop litter.”

     

    The minister noted that around the world , a park is a place where you are supposed to come and have peace and tranquility, to either exercise or  meditate.

     
    He however lamented that about 95 percent of parks in the FCT do not comply with the park policy of the FCT Administration and blamed weak enforcement practices.

     
    Many FCT parks, he said have become hideouts for criminals, are untidy and become concrete jungles with little regards for the green purposes for which they were established.

     
      Malam Bello, on behalf of the FCT Administration and the residents of the FCT, presented a letter of appreciation to Salini Nigeria Ltd for constructing and maintaining the park as well as making it available for public use at no cost to the government or the residents of the Territory.

     
    Meanwhile   the Minister also announced that as part of the FCT Administration’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, access to the park will be limited to only members of the public who are vaccinated against the disease and revealed that the park has been designated as a COVID-19 vaccination center where residents can be vaccinated against the disease.

     
    Mr Gerrano D’ttria commended the Minister’s resolve to reopen the park and reiterated his organization’s readiness to continue to partner with the FCT Administration in meeting challenging situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

     
     He said that his company constructed the park as part of its corporate social responsibility to the government and residents of the FCT.

     

     The FCTA permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola in his comments also thanked Salini Nig. Ltd for meticulously maintaining the park during the duration of its closure.

  • Minister Approves of Community Policing in FCT

    Minister Approves of Community Policing in FCT

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Owing to  recent security challenges in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has approved of the need for organized community policing within the FCT communities and Area Councils.  

    Bello who made this disclosure in Abuja on Thursday when a delegation of Council of Chiefs of the Pai Chiefdom in Kwali Area Council of the FCT, led by the Magajin Pai, Alhaji Bawa Yahaya, paid a visit to the FCTA.

    He emphasized that with adequate community policing, a lot of the security challenges currently being experienced in the FCT could be surmounted.

    The minister who noted that security is now everybody’s business, said the traditional and political leadership within the Area Councils must work together with other experts to organize community policing structures that will not only tackle insecurity but also provide credible intelligence to the security agencies.

    He however lamented that efforts to introduce community policing in the FCT in the past have not been very successful due to over reliance of the communities on the FCT Administration to provide all the necessary logistics.
    He urged the traditional and political leadership in the Area Councils to show more commitment to ensure the success of the programme. 

    The minister said, “The reality is that security now is everybody’s business. We have tried as much as possible to encourage community policing in the FCT but we have not had success. The challenge we faced, especially with the community policing issue, is that many of the communities were just waiting for the Federal Government or maybe the State and in our own case, the FCT Administration to pay for everything.”

      “As you know, resources are very scarce. If the Federal Government through the system established by the Nigerian Police takes care of the training and maybe the kitting, other things including allowances should be taken up by the local community. ”

    The Minister ured Communities and the leadership of the Area Councils to work with experts within their various domains to identify able bodied men and women and encourage them to be part of the community policing process.

    The advantage of community policing the Minister disclosed is that President Buhari has approved the employment of 10,000 policemen every year, adding is that those that are trained as community policing constabulary can easily be absorbed into the main police.

    Even if initially, it is the community that is funding their transport, their logistics or even paying for whatever they require when they go for training, the community will still benefit because eventually, it is the same able-bodied men and women that will be absorbed by either the police or the military”, he added.

     He also pledged the support of the FCT Administration to ensure the success of community policing in the FCT, and promised the intervention of the FCT Administration in the provision of access roads and educational facilities in the community.

    The  Sarkin Yakin Pai, Dr Husseini Halilu Pai, who appreciated the relationship between the FCT Administration and the Pai Community.

    Dr.  Pai pledged the support of Pai community for all activities by government to curb insecurity in the FCT while calling on the Administration to continue to provide basic infrastructure in the community.

  • Minister commends Provost for quality of infrastructure at FCT College of Education

    Minister commends Provost for quality of infrastructure at FCT College of Education

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
     

     FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has commended the provost of the FCT College of Education, Dr. Gambo Hamza for the quality and scope of infrastructural development at the institution.

    Bello made this commendation during an inspection visit to the permanent site of the FCT College of Education Zuba.

    The minister who was impressed with the quality of the infrastructure and other facilities, commended Hamza for his untiring efforts in ensuring that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) provided a large percentage of the infrastructure at the College.

      He said, “All the projects by TETFUND were pursued, and granted due to the singular efforts of the Provost. It is because of his strength of character, capacity and above all, his ability to reach out in all areas.”

    The Minister, thereafter, through a motion supported by all, proceeded to name the newly built 1200 capacity hall after Dr Muhammad Gambo Hamza.

     
    Furthermore he commended the management staff and students of the institution for maintaining a high educational standard, adding that the quality of the output of the FCT College of Education has been acknowledged nationwide and urged them to ensure it is sustained.

     He equally commended them for maintaining a harmonious working relationship within the institution as well as peaceful co-existence with the host community of Zuba.

      He also extended the appreciation of the FCT Administration to TETFUND and pledged the Administration’s continuous support for the growth and development of the institution.

    Dr. Hamza acknowledged the Minister’s continued efforts at creating a conducive environment for the College’s well-being and existence. 

     He noted that the College has received priority attention from the FCTA in staff training and development, as 101 staff, comprising of 54 PhDs and 75 academic and administrative staff, have been within and outside of the country. 

       The Provost disclosed that the College has increased its academic and professional relationships, adding that it has signed an MoU with the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for award of bachelor degree programmes in seven departments and has obtained the requisite NUC approval.

      He added that the College has also established a mutual collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to fight corruption on the campuses, even as it has set up students’ anti-corruption vanguard to fight education-related corruption practices.  

     
        Dr. Hamza however appealed for the Minister’s intervention in the speedy completion of ongoing projects, especially the completion of the schools of education, sciences, vocational and technical; as well as access road.

     
    The Provost disclosed that, the College, which was established in 1997, has current students’ enrolment of 7,224, a total graduate output of 22,296, and has full accreditation for its 29 academic programmes.

     
      Registrar of the College, Dr. (Mrs.) Grace Tyoden described the visit by the Minister as “historic and a huge encouragement”. 

  • Qatar Charity commends FCT minister for Developmental Strides in Abuja

    Qatar Charity commends FCT minister for Developmental Strides in Abuja

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Executive Chairman of the Qatar Charity, an international charity organisation Yusuf Ahmad Al-Kuwari has commended the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello for turning the territory into a is developmental strides in Abuja.

     Yusuf Ahmad Al-Kuwari gave the commendation at the groundbreaking ceremony of 10 projects being executed by Qatar Charity in the Gaduwa District of the FCT.

     He also commended the Minister for creating the enabling environment for well-meaning individuals and organisations to contribute their quota towards the growth and development of the Territory.

     
    The Executive Chairman equally commended residents of Abuja, especially those in Gaduwa District for their cooperation with his organisation.

      He stressed that his organization was happy to collaborate with the FCT Administration and residents of the Gaduwa community for the projects.

     
    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello also  commended Qatar Charity for siting the projects in the nation’s capital.

     He said, “Let me also use this opportunity to convey the sincere appreciation of the Administration and the entire residents of the FCT to Qatar Charity for these laudable projects, which will not only bridge  service gaps in the FCT, but also create jobs for our teeming populace. ”

       Qatar Charity has executed projects such clinic, secondary school, an orphanage, a shopping plaza and a 15,000 litres solar borehole.

     Other projects include staff quarters, children’s playground, a green area, a bakery and 1000-capacity mosque.

      The Minster who was represented at the ceremony by his Chief of Staff, Muhammad Bashir Mai-Bornu, also reiterated his appeal for the siting of the Qatar charity’s African headquarters in Abuja.

       He said: “I had proposed the establishment of African headquarters of the Qatar Charity in Nigeria, preferably in Abuja and a collaboration between the FCTA and the Charity for a world class hospital and other such projects in Abuja.

        He expressed optimism that Qatar Charity will accede to his request in the near future and pledged the FCTA’s continuous support while also thanking them for the ongoing construction of an housing estate for widows and orphans in the Wassa District of Abuja. 

     
     Also speaking at the event, Chairman, of Gaduwa community association Alhaji Usman Bukar also commended the FCT Minister, for the projects saying that they will have positive impacts on the residents of the area.

  • FCT Minister promises support for NYSC activities

    FCT Minister promises support for NYSC activities

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has promised that the Administration would support the activities of the National Youth Service Corps in the territory

    Bello stated this when he received a delegation from the NYSC HQ led by the Director General, Brig. Gen. M.K Fadah on a courtesy visit to the FCTA.

     
     Malam Bello who described Brig. Gen. Fadah as very capable and competent, commended him on his appointment as the 19th head of the NYSC, as he affirmed FCTA’s support for programmes aimed at the realization of the mandate of the NYSC.

     He further directed the upward review of the number of corp. members accepted by the FCTA for the one-year mandatory service to the nation while stressing that under his watch, no youth corp member has ever been rejected.

     He said, “All my life I have never rejected any corp member. So, we will take in more numbers but we are not going to keep them in the city. We are going to post them to the Area Councils”.

     
    The NYSC DG had appreciated the Minister’s kind support during orientation exercises and acceptance of corps members posted to the FCTA.

     He also solicited for the support of the FCTA in the renovation of the FCT orientation camp hall and the overall success of the upcoming NYSC orientation exercise.