Tag: Mr. Olusade Adesola

  • Collapsed Dape building, erring developers, officials must be punished- FCT Perm Sec

    Collapsed Dape building, erring developers, officials must be punished- FCT Perm Sec

    … NEMA rescues nine injured persons

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The FCT Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Administration, FCDA, Mr. Olusade Adesola has vowed to punish erring developers or officials linked to the collapse of three storey building in Dape District on Tuesday.

    Adesola on Tuesday July 4th, 2023, accompanied by senior officials of FCDA visited the site of the collapsed three-storey building under construction in Dape District of the FCT .

    He sympathized with affected workers at the site whose health and livelihoods were negatively impacted by the building collapse and thanked God that no life was lost to the unfortunate incident.

    According to the Permanent Secretary, investigation has commenced to unravel the immediate and remote cause of the building collapse, as he warned that those found culpable would face the consequences of their actions.

    He disclosed that the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad will chair a technical Committee that will investigate the incident and establish culpability, either by the developers or officials of the FCT Administration.

    Furthermore, he revealed that preliminary information showed that the developers of the collapsed building were severally cautioned to stop work at the site but they refused to adhere to the warnings.

    The Permanent Secretary said, ” The collapse of this building affirms the fact that when you ignore professional advice, it has a repercussion and this is what is evident. We were just informed that instructions and notices were served to stop work. Even the consultant on site advised that no further work should be done on this site, but it was ignored.”

    “ This is preliminary information being provided to us. Going forward, we have to really go to the root of it to know what happened. Until further investigation is concluded, the site is permanently closed.”

    “A caveat will be placed on the plot so that some efforts are not made, either by way of sale or any other transactions.”

    “The Executive Secretary FCDA will chair a technical Committee that will evaluate the immediate and remote causes of the collapse. We will also establish culpability, whether from officials of the Administration or by external people.”

    “The operation practice for the profession of engineering is clear. It has codes for all offenses and we will invoke all these penalties and sanctions when the report is done.”

    The Permanent Secretary cautioned the public against sensational reports flying about as he stated that the incident involved a three-suspended floor structure still under construction and not a hotel or a six-storey building.

    He also reiterated commitment by the Development Control Department of the FCT Administration to its duties and would always consider all factors before authorizing the development of any property.

    “I want to assure the public that when a property is duly authorized by the Development Control, all factors are considered. But now, noting that there could have been some variables not taken into consideration, they directed that work should be stopped. But the developer ignored those warnings and advice from the authority. We will look into detail at what has happened, and we will be able to arrive at the situation.”

    “We must don’t sensationalize the misfortune of others. They deserve our sympathy, but we have to ensure that the right thing is done. We will do all that is possible within our means to prevent a recurrence within the FCT”, he added.

    Also speaking during the visit, the Director General, FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Dr Abbas Idris, said the Agency, upon receiving distress calls that a building had collapsed at the site, immediately activated a stakeholder team to the site for rescue operations.

    Meanwhile, nine people were rescued and taken to the hospital, with six of them already treated and discharged while three others, in stable condition, are still receiving treatment.

    The DG appreciated the efforts of the critical stakeholders, including the FCDA and the Development Control who provided vital equipment for the rescue efforts.

    Director, Development Control, Town planner Mukhtar Galadima explained that the incident occurred at Plot 965 within Dape District which was designated for a mixed use development, adding that approval was granted for development of commercial and residential facilities on a three suspended floor.

    He disclosed that preliminary investigation revealed that when the developer commenced development, there was an observation made by the officers on site and he was asked to resubmit his designs for further re-assessment.

    “Somehow, along the line during development, there was an alteration and the developer was asked to stop until those modifications were integrated in the design.”

    The Director said that the developer, however, failed to heed to directives to stop work until the building eventually collapsed on Monday, July 3rd.

    Galadima also called for all those found culpable in the unfortunate incident to be appropriately sanctioned.

  • FCTA Embarks On Project 100 Schools in 100 Days Upgrade To Enhance Education

    FCTA Embarks On Project 100 Schools in 100 Days Upgrade To Enhance Education

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola has disclosed that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), is currently implementing an upgrade of schools infrastructure under the 100 schools programme which entails the renovation and upgrading of 100 schools in 100 days.

    .Adesola noted that the objective of
    the 100 days project is to create conducive learning environment for students by providing infrastructure and facility for students in FCT schools.

    He said that the outcome of the project will ensure that the FCT will be able to produce more brilliant students coming out of the system.

    Adesola disclosed this yesterday, while receiving commendation from the leadership All-African Students
    Union (AASU), in Abuja.

    According the Permanent Secretary immediately after the release of contract, the execution will take only 100 days, adding that it pushes the administration to pick out very credible contractors, who have the capacity, identify the schools, measure the works and other activity required.

    However, he disclosed that unfortunately, the previous government was not able to carry out the programme , but the project is still being implemented because government is a continuum.

    Adesola said, “For us in FCT, the commitment to the growth and development of the educational sector is a priority. And we are currently implementing the 100 by 100 programme which entails the renovation and upgrading of 100 schools in 100 days.”

    “We are also addressing the skills requirements and the welfare need of our staff. Last year, over 80 teachers were promoted from Deputy Directors to Principal Directors. This is to ensure that these teachers or employees are well motivated after the large amount of years they served by attaining the peak of their careers, so that they can continue to deliver teaching services.”

    “We also pay attention to the challenge of security which is very difficult to sustain because we spend substantial amount on the effort to provide it. In our schools particularly, those are the fringes and we use both the conventional and non conventional methods.”

    Furthermore, the Permanent Secretary lamented that the major challenge is the influx of the students trooping into the FCT. Majority of students in the FCT are from the neighboring states around the city because of inadequacies of government in providing standard facilities and this pushes thtem to trekking into the nation’s capital especially from Nasarawa to Abuja, Kogi to Abuja or even Niger to Abuja.

    “So in all those fringes, you see the schools are very fat in terms of human population, but because it is still one Nigeria, we believe that they are entitled to be educated and wil continue to provide them in that aspect.”

    The AASU President and leader of the delegation, Osisiogu Osikenyi, commended the FCTA embarking on improving better access to education at all levels in the Territory.

    Osikenyi expressed worries about campus insecurity, but said the Union is very happy that despite this no campus in the FCT is on the ugly of campuses that have been attacked by hoodlums, ,”we want you to intensify on that.”

    He called on the FCTA to continue liaising with security agencies to make sure that campuses, especially those which are located at the borderlines of the FCT are secured.

  • FCT Permanent Secretary not  Acting FCT Minister – FCTA

    FCT Permanent Secretary not Acting FCT Minister – FCTA

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The FCTA has said that the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola is not the Acting FCT Minister as against speculations and misconceptions by some media outlets and the public .

     
    A release by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Anthony Ogunleye issued today to clarify the mix up stated, “We hereby clarify that there is no provision either in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or civil service rules for such a position, and therefore, the FCTA Permanent Secretary cannot be addressed as the Acting Minister of the FCT.”

     ” We understand that the recent political transition and absence of a Minister at present may have led to confusion regarding this matter. However, it is essential to rely on the established legal framework and adhere to the prescribed protocols.”

     “The FCTA is committed to upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and adherence to constitutional provisions.”

      ” The public and the media are enjoined to kindly take note and comply accordingly.”
    End