The Ona of Abaji and Chairman FCT Council of Chiefs, Alhaji (Dr) Adamu Baba Yunusa has appealed to the Government for the creation of additional seats at National Assembly for Abuja, the nation’s capital, as obtainable in other states of the federation.
The Monarch noted that the current two House of representatives seats and one Senatorial slot in the National Assembly could no longer ensure effective and quality representation of FCT people.
He made this call when participants of the Senior Executive course 44, 2022 of the National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) on a study tour paid him a courtesy visit at his palace, in Abaji Area Council of Abuja.
The traditional Leader explained that, ” Statistics has showed that the indigenes and residents of FCT are increasing in number day after day, therefore the two (2) House of Representatives seat and one (1) Senatorial seat could no longer
ensure effective and quality representation of FCT people.
“We are appealing to the Government for additional seat at National Assembly as obtainable in other states of the federation in line with section 299 of the Nigeria Constitution as amended, ‘that we should be treated as if we are one of the states of the federation.
“FCT has no proper political structure to efficiently manage and address the grassroots challenges and underdevelopment. Therefore, there is a need for second tier Government in FCT to adequately address the current challenges at the grassroots level”.
The Monarch however, challenged the authority of the institute to kindly broaden their admission quota so that Traditional Rulers and FCT Area Council staff can easily be considered in its admission annually.
This, according to him, is the only way people at the FCT and grassroots can feel a sense of belonging and “our knowledge can be expanded to suit the changing administrative challenges”.
Earlier, leader of the NIPSS delegation, Professor Sunday Ochoche, informed the Ona of Abaji and his chief that the group 5 participants of the 2022 NIPSS Senior Executive Course 44 embarked on the local study tour of FCT for engagement of stakeholders in the governmental processes of local government in FCT.
He noted that the course 44 has 97 participants divided into groups on a study tour across Nigeria, on the theme: strengthening Local Governance in Nigeria; challenges, options and opportunities.
According to him, the participants cut across the Military, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police, state governments, private sector amongst others, with the view to help solve some national issues.
The participants led by the NIPSS Directing staff who met with Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Hon. Abdulrahman Ajiya, had kicked off the tour at the Kuchigoro primary healthcare centre, in AMAC as well as inspected FCT Fadama project at Gada Biu, in Abaji.
Also, the delegation met with officers and men of the 176 Guards Battalion Barracks, which covers four out of the six area councils in the Territory, with exception of AMAC and Bwari.
Nnenna.O
