Authority of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has restated its commitment to complete all ongoing road projects cutting across various rural communities before the end of the current administration’s tenure.
The Administration also assured residents, particularly those living in rural communities of its renewed efforts to tackle the menace of kidnapping and banditry with vigour.
The Secretary, Area Councils Services Secretariat, Ibrahim Dantsoho stated this during his familiarisation tour train to Area Councils and Chiefdoms in the FCT.
Dantsoho who expressed disappointment over the state of non existing road and other basic infrastructure in villages and communities he toured in the Area Council, assured the natives that he will alert the administration for speedy response.
He particularly gave the assurance that the administration will ensure the completion of the Kwali Police-by-pass road, Yebu-Kwaku road, Pai road among others.
In order to achieve effective response towards addressing challenges confronting the Area Councils, Dantsoho advised Council chairmen to ensure that they channel their complaints through the ACSS, warning that the administration will no longer attend to issues directly addressed to the minister without the attention of the supervisory body.
He further solicited the cooperation of Area Council Chairmen to enable the Secretariat deliver on its mandate of providing quality infrastructure capable of transforming the economies of rural communities.
According to him; “I have seen a lot of challenges in the chiefdom that need to be attended to. You can assess it and see it for yourself, the road network from Kwali to Dafa is better, but anything from Dafa to Gomani is an eyesore and as a result of this I will go back to the drawing board and let the FCT administration know that there is urgent need for government attention to so that our local people can feel the impact of the administration.
“It is indeed the intention of the administration not to wind up without completing all on going projects. I want to assure you that this is part of the 2022 budget”.
Speaking on the incessant kidnapping in Kwali Area Council especially in Gomani community, the Secretary said the Royal Highness Etsu of Kwali and Aguma of Gomani stated this as the major challenge confronting them.
“Exactly what the Aguma of Gomani has categorically made it clear and you know l have told you that the FCT Administration has been doing a lot to ensure they maintain this peace. Having heard from the paramount ruler, l think it is for me to get back to the government and let them know that there is urgent need for us to do the needful in providing the the necessary security apparatus to checkmate the incessant kidnapping, banditry and so forth that has been giving them a lot of concerns. Government will look into it, we will checkmate it and do the needful by getting them exactly what can put a stop to this agony they are passing through”, he said.
Welcoming the Secretary to the Council, the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Hon. Danladi Chiya assured him of the continuous cooperation and support of the Area Council chairmen.
Chiya, who noted with displeasure the perennial insecurity challenges bedeviling residents of the Area Council, said his administration has set machineries in motion to address the menace with the collaboration of the Kwali chiefdoms.
While pledging his support and readiness to work with the mandate secretary, Chiya noted that his visit to the Area Council has boosted his chance of securing a second term in office.
Meanwhile, His Royal Highness, the Etsu of Kwali, Dr. Shaban Audu Nizazo has appealed to the FCT Administration to intensify efforts toward curbing the insecurity challenges bedeviling rural communities across the territory.
While lamenting the incessant kidnapping as well as farmers herders crises in his chiefdom, he called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to as a matter of urgency empower local hunters and vigilantes to assist in combating the dreaded kidnappers.
Stressing on the increased of kidnapping in his domain, the Etsu revealed that just last week one of the Counselors was kidnapped and was released after ransom was paid, adding that, nine other people were kidnapped and only four had been released from the kidnappers’ den.
” Farmers herders crises had left four of my people amputated , they will allow the famers to do the planting and during harvest they come to fight them and their farm produce”, he lamented.
Nnenna.O
