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FCT Minister promises support for 31.5m Nigerians living with disabilities, domesticate Disabilities Act

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has pledged support for 31.5 million Nigerians living with disabilities and to dimesticate the Disabilitiies Prohibition Act to ensure compliance.

Bello made this pledge when the management of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, NCPWD, led by the Executive Secretary Mr James Kaku visited the FCTA.

The minister said that the support is to enable NCPWD fulfil its mandate of caring for Nigerians living with disabilities.

The minister said, “the Federal Capital Territory Administration is part of the federal government. So, considering fact that the Bill on persons with disabilities has been signed by Mr President, I assure you that the FCT Administration will follow the procedure as quickly as possible and domesticate it here in the FCT and we will see specific aspects of the Act that we need to make sure we honour and follow.”

He informed the management of the NCPWD that efforts were being put in place to make Abuja an inclusive city that will cater for the needs of persons with physical challenges.

The Minister also congratulated Mr Lalu for his appointment as the Executive Secretary of the Commission describing it as a square peg in a square hole.

Lalu commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Bill and the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

Present at the meeting were the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, the Ag Secretary of the Socila Development Secretariat DR Kevin Ike, the Director, SDG, Ms Nancy Nathan and other senior staff of the FCTA.

October 25, 2021
FCT Minister Condoles Senator Philip Aduda On Death Of Father

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has condoled with the Senator representing the FCT in the National Assembly, Senator Philip Aduda on the death of his Father, Rt. Rev. Tanimu Samari Aduda who died on Wednesday, 21st of October, 2021.

Malam Bello, who was accompanied by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola on a condolence visit to the Aduda family compound in Karu, Abuja, said that the Aduda family name was an institution in the FCT due to the efforts of the late parents of the Senator.

He said, “your family is now an institution in the FCT through the efforts of your parents of blessed memory. Your mother was always known and of course your father as well. Many of the people know the name without even knowing the face.”

The Minister also expressed his appreciation to Senator Aduda who he said had remained a brother to him since his appointment as FCT Minister. He prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and pledged the participation of the Administration in the funeral of the late clergyman.

Senator Philip Aduda expressed appreciation to the Minister who was one of the early callers to the family compound saying that the visit meant a lot to his family.

He said “The FCT Minister is the father of the FCT, the Governor of the FCT and the one in charge of the FCT. So, his visit means a lot to all of us and for him to have visited us has made us to be excited because we, as a family in the FCT, we take each other as one. So, we are indeed very grateful and very happy to have received him.

Senator Aduda described his father as a wonderful disciplinarian who put his children on the path of righteousness and was responsible largely for their successes in life

The late Rev. Aduda was the Anglican Bishop of the Gwagwalada Dioceses

October 22, 2021
Independence Day: FCT minister urges residents to embrace peace, unity, progress

By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

As the FCT rolls out drums to mark Nigeria’s 61st Anniversary today, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has called on residents of the Territory to join hands with the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to embrace unity, peace and the collective progress for the country.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Anthony Ogunleye, FCTAChief Press Secretary, made available to Daybreak.

According to the release the minister made this call today in his anniversary message to FCT residents.

He noted that the country was better off as one united entity and would achieve much more working together. and urged residents to resist all efforts of divisions amongst them.

The minister urged residents to resist all efforts to create divisions amongst them and encouraged residents to reflect on the struggles of past and present heros of Nigeria’s independence who have sacrificed for the country.

He further called on the people to use the anniversary to reminsent on the efforts of past heros in their quest for a strong, virile and united nation.

The Minister, while felicitating with President Muhammadu Buhari for showing exemplary leadership at this time in the nation’s history, said the President’s unique character and personality have done much to imbue in Nigerians hope in a greater future as a strong, virile and united nation.

The Minister pointed out that the FCT was founded on a platform of unity of Nigeria, a place where all Nigerians can call home and said that the Administration has strived to build a Territory of the collective dreams of all Nigerians.

The Minister thanked the thousands of Nigerians who over the years have contributed to building the FCT as a beautiful and world class city.

It is worthy to mention once again, that there now exists a generation of Nigerians from all parts of the country who truly know no other home but the FCT, having been born, schooled, are married and raising families of their own here in the Nation’s capital” he said.

Meanwhile,on the security, the Minister paid tribute to the officers and men of all the security agencies who daily confront security challenges in the FCT with some paying the highest price with their lives.

He called on FCT residents to continue to aid them in their work by providing vital information when they feel the need to do so.

The Minister also reminded FCT residents that the ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic was far from over, advising them to seize every available opportunity to get vaccinated in addition to abiding by other non- pharmaceutical health guidelines.

As we roll out the drums in celebration today, let us be encouraged that the best of our country still lies ahead of us and we should work hard together at meeting our collective aspirations, the minister admonished.

October 1, 2021
FCT minister assures NRC of turning Abuja into Railway hub

By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has the assured the Nigeria Railway Corporation that the FCT Administration would assist in actualising the nation’s railway Masterplan as well as turn Abuja into Railway hub.

Malam Bello gave the assurance when the NRC led by its Board Chairman, Engr. Ibrahim Alhassan Musa, paid a courtesy visit to the FCTA.

The Minister said that the location of Abuja made it a natural choice for it to not only hold the position of railway hub but also the air hub of the nation adding that the design of the Railway masterplan which would eventually crisscross the territory.

He said, “I wish to assure you that we will continue to work very closely with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to actualize the concept of the railway masterplan,, that envisages Abuja as the hub, in terms of all the lines that will eventually crisscross here.”

“Already, it’s an air hub and it’s only natural that it will also be a railway hub. It’s just the reality of geography. By its very location, it’s the natural thing to do and I assure you that we will work very closely with you to make sure that this is achieved.”

Speaking on the resumption of operations of the Abuja light rail which was suspended at the advent of the Covid -19 pandemic, the Minister assured that operations will resume in the near future.

He said “When the Nigerian Railway Corporation re-opened their systems we couldn’t and it was simply based on health concerns. The Light Rail system, the way it is configured and even the coaches, the way they are designed are meant to sit very few people and to have almost 75 percent of the passengers in standing position. We realized that there was absolutely no way we could ensure social distancing in that situation.”

The Minister said, “As you know, unless we reach a very wide coverage of vaccination and we have what the medical people call herd immunity, there is no way we are going to run the light rail system and ensure that passengers are conveyed in safety. That is the main reason why up till now, we have not resumed operations.”

The NRC board chairman, Engr. Ibrahim Alhassan Musa commended the FCT Minister for his efforts in contributing to President Muhammadu Buhari’s focus in revitalizing the Nigerian railway sector through the Abuja metro rail system which was commissioned in 2018.

Present during the visit were the, Chief of Staff to the Honourable Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, Executive Secretary, FCDA, Tpl Zaliha’u Ahmed, Managing Director, NRC, Engr. Freeborn Okhiria and other senior management staff of the FCTA and members of the NRC Board.

September 28, 2021
FCT Minister commends FCT staff for high ICPC performance scorecard
By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has commended the FCTA staff for the high performance in the Integrity Compliance Scorecard of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

Bello gave the commendation at a sensitization workshop organized by the Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the FCTA, said that the feat was achieved through the collective hard work of all staff of the Administration.
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He said: “I’m proud to say that, as reflected in the comments of the representative of the ICPC, with respect to the ICPC and integrity compliance scorecard and how the FCT was rated, is all reflective of the collective efforts done by all of you."
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The Minister further urged all staff to strive to remain at the top noting it is challenging to remain at the top as the opposite which is to go down is very traumatic.

“Once you are rated high and then you fall behind, the psychological impact can be best imagined”.

Meanwhile the minister has urged the staff to shun corruption but to live up to the established standard of the Administration.

Like the famous quote of President Muhammad Buhari on corruption Bello sai, ‘If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us.”

Using the health sector as an example he said if corruption is allowed in the medical system and you say well it doesn’t affect me, you don’t know tomorrow you will be the victim that needs attention in the outpatient department or in the emergency room and you will be surprised.
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FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola  said that the workshop was the beginning of a series of conversations and engagements on anti-corruption activities, adding that the calibre of personalities present at the event was a proof of willingness and commitment of the various stakeholders to lend support to the FCT Administration’s fight against corruption
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Adeesola also commended the ICPC for supporting the FCTA to stamp corruption out of the system while stressing that the fight against corruption was not a one person’s fight.

Representative of ICPC Chairman, Barrister Abia Udofia in turn commended the FCT for coming first in the Ethics, Integrity and Compliance Scorecard that was administered last year, attributing the success to active part ACTU is playing in driving the way of anti-corruption for Administration.
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In a similar development, earlier in the day, the FCT Minister was a guest at the grand finale of the 2021 Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Servicom/ACTU nationwide sensitization and enlightenment programme, where he commended the Service for successfully conducting the exercise designed to entrench the principles of transparency and effective service delivery in the NIS.
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Malam Bello also used the occasion to stress that the FCT Administration has put measures in place to strengthen the performance of the SERVICOM and ACTU units in the SDAs with emphasis that both units were working in synergy to attain the desired results.
September 10, 2021
FCT Minister commends Surveyors for Agric Data

By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has commended Niherian Surveyors for their professional services in the areas of agricultural data and sexurity in the country.

According to a press rrleased issued by Anthony Ogunleye, FCTA Chief Press Secretary, the minister commended the Surveyors when the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) led by the President, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Surveyor David Kayode Oluwamotemi paid a courtesy visit to the FCTA, on Tuesday, 31st August 2021.

Bello said , “I want to commend you in the appreciation that survey data is now critical in managing national security, as well as keying in and providing the bedrock and foundation for the agricultural policy of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

“I am very much aware that your professional colleagues were able to survey farmlands, thereby making them eligible to get a lot of the empowerment and palliative measures that the Federal Government has towards improving agriculture, especially under agencies like the Central Bank of Nigeria and other subsidiary agencies. All these are being done using your professional input and that is very commendable.”

He urged the institute to continue its programmes towards enhancing the professional competence of its members especially the young surveyors.

Surveyor Kayode Oluwamotemi said that the visit was to seek partnership with the FCTA to enhance land administration and revenue drive in the FCT.

Present at the meeting were the Registrar, Surveyors Council of Nigeria, Surveyors Kabir Mohammed Mamman, Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, Chief of Staff to FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, Ag ES FCDA, TPL Zaliha”u Ahmed, Surveyors General of Koi, Cross River, Adamawa and Borno States, and other senior management staff of the FCTA.

September 2, 2021
FCT disburses N4.1bn to Area Councils, Stakeholders

By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has disclosed that the Federal Capital Territory Administration had disbursed a total of sum of N4,119, 421,409.95 billion to the six Area Councils in the FCT and other stakeholders, as its share of statutory allocation for the month of July 2021,

In a press release signed by Austine Elemue, made available to Daybreak today stated that Dr. Aliyu made this known when she presided over the 156th Joint Account Allocation Committee in Abuja.
According to the release the figure shows an increase of revenue from the N2,660, 740, 632.40 billion disbursed in month of June, to N4,119, 421,409.95 in the month of July, representing over 50 percent increase

Aliyu, commended all critical stakeholders for their cooperation, despite challenges recorded in the past explained that the decline in the allocation was as a result of increase in the statutory revenue allocation from the federation account.

The statement read, the figures released indicate that the sum of N2,209,783,886.19 billion was made available for distribution to the six area councils, while the sum of N1,909, 637, 523.77 billion was made available to other stakeholders, bringing the total sum to N4,119,421,409.95 billion.

However, distribution to area councils show that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), received N435, 351, 708.77 million, while Gwagwalada got N409,111,766.45 million and Kuje received N347,756,153.64 million.

Similarly, Bwari Area Council received N325,387,924.28 million, Abaji got N355,643,246.88 million and Kwali received N336,533,086.17 million bringing the total sum to N2,209,783,886.19 billion disbursed to the six area councils.

Furthermore, distribution to other stakeholders include: Primary Teachers which gulped N1,534, 114,914.46 billion, 15 percent Pension Funds took N226,478,989.57 million, One percent Training Fund gulped N41,194,214.11 million, while 10 percent Employer Pension Contribution gulped N107,849, 405.63 million, bringing the total sum to N1,909,637,523.77 billion.

The minister charged chairmen of the area councils to initiate projects that would benefit the rural communities, just as she decried infrastructural dearth in the area council.

She said, “With the improved revenue allocation to your various councils, you should begin to initiate projects that will benefit the rural people. The infrastructural dearth in the area councils and satellite towns does not speak well of the administration. Much has been achieved in the city, but regrettably we have seen much in the suburbs. Use what you have now to do something for your people.”
While calling on all stakeholders to show more commitment she commended them for showing understanding in the distribution of monthly allocation to area councils and other stakeholders.

September 2, 2021
Road infrastructure at institutions, research districts to be completed – FCT Minister
By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has given assurance road infrastructure at the Institutions and Research District of the Federal Capital City would soon be completed.

Bello gave this assurance during a tour of the District on Monday, 30th of August 2021.

The minister who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, FCTA Mr Olusade Adesola and other senior officials of the Administration, Malam Bello inspected on-going road construction works connecting several research and academic institutions within the District.
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Speaking after the tour, Malam Bello said that the visit of senior officials of the FCTA to the District was part of routine inspections of several construction sites within the city,  aimed at meeting  the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari's  Administration on the provision of road and other infrastructure.
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According to the minister the tour was intended to enhance the security of the District which contains several government and private academic and research institutions such as the National War College, Baze University, Nigeria/Korea Model School, National Cancer Center, Institute of Human Virology, Federal Medical Center and the Headquarters complex of the EFCC amongst others.

He said, “I’m here today with all the relevant agencies of the FCT Administration to physically inspect the scope of work and also to reassure all these institutions of government and private sector organizations that the FCT Administration, within the limit of available resources, will do its very best to make sure that these projects are funded, are properly supervised and also completed on time.”

Ag. Executive Secretary of the FCDA, TPL Zaliha’u Ahmed, said that it was the intention of the FCT Administration to provide the needed road infrastructure in the District to enhance economic and social activities in the area.
August 31, 2021
FCT kick starts construction of Kagini train station access Road

By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

In line with the FCT Administration for provision of effective transportation system in the territory, the FCT Minister Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello recently flagged off the construction of access road and car park for the Kagini Train Station.

In a press release signed by the FCTA Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Anthony Ogunleye made available to Daybreak, the new road is in line with the Abuja Transportation Masterplan.

Bello at the ceremony said that the Kagini train station is one of twelve light rail stations provided under the Abuja Rail Mass Transport system and is designed to service the Kagini, Saburi, Jahi and Kaba Districts of the Federal Capital City.

He revealed that the project was funded in large part by the Federal Ministry of Environment from the proceeds of issuance of the Sovereign Green Bond of the federal Government and on completion will ensure the seamless movement of commuters, goods and services to and from the station to other parts of the FCT.

According to the Minister the project is designed to reduce carbon emissions from cars as it is expected that residents will use more of the trains than motor vehicles. In the words of the Minister, “We expect that with the opening of the train station to passengers, many commuters from this part of the city would use the trains instead of their motor vehicles thereby reducing carbon emissions”.

Furthermore the minister urged the Environment Ministry to assist the FCTA’s efforts to power the street and traffic lights in the city using renewable energy such as solar.

He enjoined residents of Kagini community to cooperate with the contractors in their task, he said that on completion, the project will contribute to the socio-economic development of the Kagini area and the FCT as a whole.

Speaking on the Sovereign Green Bond, Minister of Environment, Dr Muhammad Mahmood Abubakar who flagged –off the construction process explained that the Sovereign Green Bond is a strategic process by the federal Government to deliver on Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) whose implementation explores and channels resources into viable green projects that are expected to help the nation to meet its emission reduction targets and further solidify its stance on the low carbon pathway and economic diversification”.

Also present at the occasion the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu said that the success of the project represented the fruits of the FCT Administration’s prudent management of resources and completion of projects with the positive impact on FCT residents.

Present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, the Ag Executive Secretary of the FCDA TPL Zaliha’u Ahmed, and other senior officials of the FCTA, Ministry of Environment and community leaders of the Kagini Area Council.

August 21, 2021
FCT Minister pledge to support new Police Commissioner, Command

By Joyce Remi- Babaueju

Minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has pledged unflinting support of the FCT Administration to the FCT Police Command in its task of effectively policing the Federal Capital Territory under the new Police Commissioner.

Bello pledged this support when the new FCT Commissioner of Police, Babaji Sunday, to the FCT Administration paid him a courtesy call in his office.

The Minister who congratulated the new CP expressed delight on his appointment saying that Babaji possessed the relevant professional qualifications having served as a Deputy Commissioner in charge of operations in the FCT and other important positions across several state police commands in the country.

This was contained in a press release signed by the FCT Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Anthony Ogunleye, made available to Daybreak today.

According to the statement the minister thanked the Officers and men of the FCT police Command for the good work they were doing in the FCT, and urged them to give maximum cooperation to the new CP.

Malam Bello also urged Mr Babaji to work closely with the heads of the other security agencies in the FCT as was done by his predecessor, AIG Bala Ciroma.

He further promised to support the FCT Police Command with some operational vehicles to aid operations to tackle the challenging nature of crime and criminality within the city center and satellite towns.

The new Commissioner of Police promised to build on the legacies of his predecessor in fighting crime in the FCT.

Babaji assured FCT residents of quality police service, adding that there is need for reciprocal cooperation through citizen information on suspicious individuals and situations.

CP Babaji Sunday also thanked the FCT Minister for providing an enabling environment for synergy amongst the various security agencies in the FCT and warned criminal elements in the Territory to either leave, repent or be ready to face the wrath of the law.

Present at the event were the Director, Human Resources Management Department of the FCTA, Dr Bashir Mohammed, the FCTA Solicitor General, Barr. Yusuf Wodi, the Director Department of Security Services Mr Adamu Gwary and senior officers on the entourage of the new CP.

End

August 17, 2021