Media, Civil Societies, others task FCT Minister on intra city transportation, satellite towns, sports and others

[FMINigeria]

                        After the presentation made by Senator Bala Mohammed, the FCT Minister at the ongoing Ministerial Platform, an accountability forum organised by Federal Ministry of Information, media practitioners, concerned citizens and civil society organisations raised some questions.  Some of the questions asked bothered on the level of relationship being exhibited by the FCT Minister of State towards the residents of Abuja which they felt needed to be improved upon; efforts being made by the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCTA) to extend developments beyond the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to the contiguous  settlements of Dutse Alhaji, Kubwa, and others; the policy on the transportation system in the FCT; the need to overhaul the FCT Sports Council, the practice of indiscriminate pasting of posters, as well as need to dualize Mararaba – Nyanya Road.  Others include the accreditation of schools in the FCT.

While responding to the issues, the FCT Minister said that efforts are being made to promote communication and development in the satellite towns.

The Minister further explained that urban renewal through provision of housing in Abuja, resettlement and compensation for areas such as Jabi and Gusape which were not included in development contracts and land swap projects are in process.

Hon. Minister of Information; Labaran Maku at Ministerial platform 2013 The FCT Minister said that the land swap policy was meant to give land in exchange for infrastructure in needed areas, as FCTA alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of providing infrastructure.  As disclosed by the FCT Minister the land swap deal was a public-private sector participation in development initiatives.

The Minister also disclosed that enumeration of residents, land registration and enabling policy were necessary measures of approval and procurement of certificate of occupancy"; he said.

Also responding, the Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide disclosed that leadership and partnership ventures have been applied to institutional provision to bring hygiene, primary healthcare services, equipment, personnel, training and sense of duty to enable the Area Councils grow to world class status.   She said that income for the FCT is derived from national subventions, statutory payments and internal revenue.

Hon. Minister of State FCT; Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide at Ministerial platform 2013 On efforts to address unemployment in the FCT, the Ministers disclosed that Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) was being applied and is progressing with about 1,000 projects engaging the unemployed.

With additional remarks, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who hosted the event, observed that there is expectation for the completion of the railway service for Abuja City, expansion on the supply of water and completion of the World Trade Centre which aims at making Abuja, a city to reckon with, as well as growth in the satellite towns.

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Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria