The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has canvassed for support of traditional rulers to stem the tide of insecurity in the territory.
The Minister made the call during his maiden meeting with the FCT Council of chiefs which the Six Area Councils chairmen were also in attendance on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Wike, who acknowledged that traditional institutions have significance role to play in supporting government, said with synergy the administration will meet up with its outlined plans to win the fight against criminals in the nation’s capital.
He said despite the insecurity being experienced mostly in Bwari, Kuje and Kwali Area Councils, FCT Administration was not sleeping over the challenge.
According to him, any threat to the Federal Capital will affect the country at large.
He told the monarchs that president Bola Tinubu has keen interest in ending insecurity in the territory, and has been giving series of approvals to ensure that security agencies are fully equipped.
Wike, therefore called on the Area Councils chairmen to work in synergy with the traditional rulers in profiling members of the vigilance groups
He also reminded the monarchs on the need to support in the demolishing of all shanties in their domains, where criminals hide to perpetrate crime.
“There is need for synergy in the fight against insecurity, as traditional rulers your support is needed to win the fight.
“We have asked all the Area Councils to set up vigilance teams and we believe that those vigilance teams won’t be the ones perpetrating the crimes. Therefore, they must be profiled so that they are known. Who are they? Are they from our communities? So that we won’t say we want to solve a problem and then cause another one. They (chairmen) will have to do that with you (traditional rulers).
“We thought that there is a need to meet with you and the council chairmen so that we can work in synergy and be on the same page. If there are things you think we should do too, we are willing to partner with you so that the challenges we are facing now will be a thing of the past. You must work hard because insecurity is not written on anybody’s face. Anyone can be a victim and that is why we must do everything possible to ensure that our subjects are not victims of these criminals.”
Responding on behalf of monarchs, the chairman FCT Council of chiefs and Ona of Abaji, Yunusa Adamu pledged the council’s support to the minister.
Adamu encouraged Wike to continue with his good work in the Federal Capital Territory.
“We are happy with you, and we will continue to support the good work you are doing in FCT.”
FCTA
Meanwhile, in another development, the popular Area 1 motor park has been handed over to transport unions for management and operations.
The Head of Operation, Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Deborah Osho disclosed this during a clean up exercise of the park on Wednesday in Area 1, Garki, Abuja.
Osho decried that the FCT Administration, last week, cleaned up the park only for it to be reoccupied by illegal activities and miscreants, forcing them to return for another cleansing.
“Last week, this park was cleared, but when we came back today, we met the same kind of issues that made us to clean it up in the first place.
“It was filled with car wash, mechanic and the place was been used by miscreants.
“There’s need for the park to be occupied and used, that’s why we invited the union to bring in their vehicles so that they can start using the place, instead of littering the streets with their vehicles.”
The DRTS official, explained that the exercise, which would be replicated in all motor parks in Abuja, would assist in curbing issues of illegal parking along the road.
“Bringing them into the park will also help resolve the issue of insecurity in the city, particularly that of one-chance, which is already reducing.
“We have appealed to leaders of the unions to get their men to bring in their vehicles into the park and take possession of it.
“That’s what we are going to do to every taxi rank in the FCT.”
According to her, her team removed about 10 vehicles out of the park alone to create space for the transport unions to take over.
The Deputy National President, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Abubakar Sadiq, who took over the park on behalf of the operators, promised to run the park in line with guidelines of government.
“All of us are now together in making sure our members operate according to guidelines provided by the government.
“We have shown now that we are mature enough to be able to coordinate and manage ourselves better which has given the government more confidence to give us this facility to run.”
Dr. Sadiq who is also Chairman, All Transport Operators in FCT, however, expressed displeasure over certain happenings in the parks, regarding standards, as well as security, but assured the public of good and safe transport service from the motor parks.
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