By Philip Yatai

The Department of Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has begun demolition of over 500 illegal structures at the popular Karmo market, Abuja.

The director of the department, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, explained during the exercise on Wednesday, that the demolition followed the expiration of the 24-hour demolition notices issued to the traders.

The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) recalls that the department had on Monday, served 24-hour demolition notices to operators of the illegal markets and shanties marked for demolition along Karmo – Dei-Dei  road corridor.

Galadima, who was represented by Mr Garba Jibril, an Assistant Director and the Sector Monitor in charge of Karmo and other districts, said that the demolition exercise followed due process.

He added that the operators of the illegal markets and owners of the illegal structures and shanties have been duly notified and given enough time to evacuate their valuables.

He explained that demolition was necessary considering the huge traffic gridlock being experienced along the road corridor, especially during market days.

“It is a known fact that people spend hours just to pass through the road, particularly during market days.

“To address the challenge, the Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike had directed that all illegal structures, shanties, and informal markets along the road corridor should be demolished and removed.

“This will allow free flow of traffic on the road corridor and make life easy for the road users,” he said.

He advised the affected traders to relocate to the fully built and equipped market in the area.

He added that the market operators have agreed to allow the affected traders to occupy a shop free for one year before paying any rent at a subsidised rate, including other incentives.

On his part, Dr Peter Olumuji, Secretary, Command and Control Centre, Department of Security Services, FCTA, said that the clearance would equally improve security in the area.

“There are a lot of shanties and unplanned settlements that people occupy in the area and some of the people commit various types of crime, particularly in the night.

“The demolition will ensure a serene environment that will not be too comfortable for criminals to operate,” Olumuji said.

On the possibility of the traders returning to the road, the secretary said that arrangements have been concluded with the Divisional Police Officer in the area to arrest any trader that operates along the road. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, has advised people residing along waterways in the FCT to relocate to safer areas.

The acting Director-General of the department, Mr Mohammed Sabo, gave the warning in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Sabo explained that the warning became necessary following the early warning issued by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

He said that NiMet, in its rainfall forecast bulletin had warned that a moderate to heavy rainfall was expected on Thursday and Friday   in parts of FCT, Niger, and Kogi.

Other states that might also experience moderate to heavy rainfall, according to NiMet, include Nasarawa, Adamawa, Kebbi, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Kwara, Bayelsa and Cross River.

He said that the agency’s forecast emphasised the prospect of flash floods because of the moderate to heavy rainfall in the mentioned states.

The acting director-general said that NiMet also warned that strong winds may accompany the rains.

This, according to him, may likely cause hazards like slippery road surfaces, reduced visibility, threats to weak structures, trees, and mast.

He appealed to FCT residents to heed to the NiMet warning by clearing all blocked drainages and removing all infractions obstructing free flow of water.

“The residents should exercise caution on the roads as the onset of the wet season in the FCT sets in.

“Motorists should also desist from driving through flooding water when it rains, stressing that the flooding water may have a strong under-current,” he said.

Sabo also urged the residents to always dial the 112 emergency toll–free number in the event of any emergency. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Philip Yatai

The Department of Development Control, FCT Administration (FCTA) has served 24-hour demolition notices to operators of illegal markets and shanties along Karmo – Dei-Dei Road corridor.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 500 illegal structures and shanties, sitting on the road corridor have been marked for demolition.

Mr Garba Jibril, the Sector Monitor and Assistant Director in the department who led the exercise in Abuja on Monday, said that the affected owners have been served with several notices.

Jibril added that the Director of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, had held a sensitisation meeting with the stakeholders.

He explained that demolishing the illegal structures was necessary because they constituted nuisance on the road in addition to heavy traffic, especially on their market days.

He added that their activities were equally emitting environmental hazards, which the FCT Administration frowned at.

The team lead also disclosed that the FCTA had awarded a contract for the construction of Life Camp – Dei-Dei Road.

He, however, said that the traders’ continuous stay on the road corridor was preventing the contractors from moving to site.

According to him, the 24-hour notice is not to be played with and those who refused to comply will have themselves to blame.

He also said that the traders have been asked to move to the designated market called Karmo Market, adding that the market was fully developed and equipped with necessary facilities.

“But the traders have been reluctant to move.

“We have had several meetings with the relevant stakeholders including traditional leaders in the area to get them to move but they remained adamant.

“We equally held a meeting with the traders and the new market operators, who promised to give the traders some incentives to be able to accommodate them in both the informal and the main shops.

“We are hoping that after the demolition, there will be a successful relocation from the road corridor to the main market.

“This will not only maintain a serene environment, but also ensure free flow of traffic in the area,” Jibril said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Philip Yatai

The Havel Corporate Concept, an affiliate of ioSafe Nigeria, has unveiled projects designed to transform Abuja into a smart city.

The Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Dr Ahmed Badanga, unveiled the projects at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday.

Badanga identified the projects as Abuja Smart City Project and Abuja Residents Smart Card Project.

He explained that the Abuja Smart City Project, which would be implemented in collaboration with critical stakeholders, would make governance, transport, tourism, health, business, and homes smarter.

The. CEO said that the team would explore a Public-Private-Partnership, not just on financial agreements but also in the sharing of expertise, risks, and rewards, in pursuit of mutual and public interests.

He said that the smart city project was tailored-based on local peculiarities, people, and the current state of Abuja city, as against the practice of allocating land to build a smart city within a city.

“We are blending global standards with our unique Abuja identity, utilising, and leveraging existing infrastructure, technology, and services within and outside Abuja metropolis,” he said.

According to him, the goal is to transform Abuja to a smarter, faster, and reliable service provider, and a city where technology and innovation meets hospitality.

He said that the project, when completed, will facilitate real time access to service and transaction via internet, artificial intelligence and customised mobile application tagged, “Abuja Smartcity App”, a one stop shop.

This, according to him, will improve the quality of life of Abuja residents.

“The project is designed to redefine Abuja city, where services are provided smartly by unlocking the potentials of the city to allow people to live, explore, work with ease, and relax pleasantly.

“This is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals 11, which seeks to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable,” he said.

He explained that the project would be built in phases, based on existing structures by adopting local content that focused on customer support systems.

He added that the project would rely majorly on technology, particularly internet, Wi-Fi, voice services, fiber optic infrastructure, and satellite services available in the city among others.

“This will create Abuja, where all activities and responsibilities are interconnected with an array of sensors and data collectors, distributed throughout the city, and monitored centrally,” he added.

On the Abuja Residents Smart Card Project, Badanga said that the digital biometric database was designed to drive the Abuja Smart City vision to reality.

He said that the proposed card would have basic features of e-payment and biometric data to enable the holders to access government, security, financial, and transportation services.

According to him, efficient public services are not possible without a resident smart card and digital database.

“The idea of the smart card is to build a reliable database of all residents of Abuja to support the proposed smart city.

“This will enhance an effective and realistic ecosystem for planning, especially in the provision and delivery of social services and amenities.

“This is critical, considering the continued influx of migrants seeking economic opportunities and better life, thereby, increasing the city population with implication on social services, infrastructure, and security.”

To ensure the success of the projects, Badanga said that the organisation would carry out an extensive awareness campaign toward building smart people, to access smart services, in a smart city.

He disclosed that Vice President Kashim Shettima would officially unveil the Abuja Smart Strategic Road Map, during the 2nd edition of the Nigeria Data Expo and Conference scheduled for July 23, 2024. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has inducted desk officers to improve service delivery across FCT public primary and secondary schools.

FCTA Head of Civil Service, Dr Udo Atang, said during the induction in Abuja, that the move was part of ongoing efforts to deliver quality services to residents of Abuja.

Atang, who was represented by a director in his office, Mrs Funmilayo Kayode, described the initiative as a crucial milestone in the administration’s efforts to transform the education sector.

This, according to him, will make FCT schools more competitive.

“The new desk officers are expected to be at the forefront of improving services in FCT schools.

“They will play a critical role in realising the vision of establishing a world-class city where quality services are accessible by all.

“This is a significant step in the FCTA’s commitment to strengthen good governance through improved education service delivery in FCT schools.”

He urged the desk officers to be dedicated to their duties, while reiterating the FCTA’s commitment to recognising and rewarding hard work and excellence.

“The Annual Staff Recognition and Award is one of FCTA’s ways of recognising hard work. I, therefore, urged you to distinguish yourselves and you will be recognised and rewarded,” he said.

Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, SERVICOM, emphasised the importance of continuous capacity building to ensure quality service delivery.

Akajemeli urged the FCT Administration to fully support service improvement processes in schools to reap the benefits of quality human capital.

“This will be achieved through training and retraining of staff, to ensure sustained quality service delivery and effective management of customer experiences,” she added.

In his remarks, Mr Prosper Ibe, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA Education Secretariat, described the induction as a milestone in the ongoing efforts to elevate the quality of education in the FCT.

He encouraged the desk officers to uphold the principles of accountability, transparency, and integrity. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru