By Gabriel Agbeja

Some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) experienced the first rain in 2024 in the early morning of Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the light rain which started half hour into the new day, about 12.30a.m., lasted about 25 minutes, stopping at 12.55a.m.

The unexpected rain which was devoid of lightning, heavy winds and thunderstorms was witnessed at Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, Garki in Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The rain was also witnessed in Dutse, Zuba, Bwari, Gwagwalada and Mararaba.

Residents of the areas expressed mixed feelings over the rain.

Mrs Anna Jonah, a resident of Kubwa said the unexpected rain brought a temporary succour from the heat wave experienced in the past few days.

She, however, expressed worry that because the rain was light, a delay in another rain might intensify the heat.

“Before the rain started, I was lying down on the tiled-floor in my room to get some relief from the heat and I had also taken cold bath twice because of sweating.

“However, after the rain, I moved to the bed with my husband and we had sound sleep, because of the mild coldness that accompanied it

“The concern is that a light rain like this might increase the heat in the coming days, especially as NiMet recently predicted a delay in rain in the North-Central states,” she said.

Lawal Sale, a resident of Garki said the rain was a bit heavy in the area and all the cars parked by occupants of his quarter that had accumulated dust were washed off by the raindrops.

Sale also confirmed relief from the intense heat witnessed in the FCT in the past days.

He, however, said the relief might be short lived and advised farmers not to rush to planting because the rain might not be consistent.

NAN reports that a resident of Kuje said there was no rain in the area but the weather was cold compared to what they had in previous days. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of State for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, on Wednesday inaugurated the 10th edition of the Abuja Festival of Arts and Culture (ASOFEST).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the celebration is  “Peaceful Co-existence, a Panacea for Economic Revival”.

Mahmoud said ASOFEST would bring different cultural groups from the six Area Councils of the territory together to showcase their cultural heritage.

She said the theme of the festival was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, through diversification of the nation’s economy from oil.

The minister called for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage for economic diversification.

According to her, preserving and promoting the rich culture, customs, and tradition will play a key role in promoting peaceful co-existence amongst different ethnic nationalities.

She underscored the need to sustain programmes and activities that promote cultural complexities that define peoples’ uniqueness in a multicultural country like Nigeria.

“As life evolves daily and for modernisation purposes, we as the people, must continue to create programmes and activities that define who we are and celebrate our heritage and uniqueness.

“We must learn to tell our own stories to the outside world through the display and showcasing of our beautiful cultures.

“Most importantly, it is also a way of making our children learn and appreciate their roots,” Mahmoud said.

Earlier, Mr Ibrahim Aminu, Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, FCT Administration, described ASOFEST as a melting pot of divergent cultural groups and traditions in the FCT.

“It also provides an opportunity for the people to display their distinctive delicacies, culinary skills, pottery, tie and dye, wrestling and weaving of clothes, mats and hats among others,” he said.

The mandate secretary expressed hope that the festival would provide employment opportunities for the unemployed youths in FCT. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Philomina Attah

The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), has cautioned Abuja residents to pay their taxes and levies to designated AMAC accounts to avoid falling victims to fake revenue collectors.

The Chairman of the Council, Mr Christopher Maikalangu gave the warning while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday

He frowned at a situation where taxpayers in Abuja preferred to pay cash to fake agents and get reduction, instead of paying to the council’s bank account for accountability.

Maikalangu emphasised that only taxpayers who presented bank tellers of their payment into the council’s account that would be accepted,

“The public are hereby advised not to pay cash to any technical partner or their representatives to avoid fallen victims of fake revenue collectors operating illegally within the Council.

“Except for daily ticketing and mobile advertisements, remember that when you pay cash, it is assumed that you have not paid at all and you will pay twice,” he said.

According to him, the collection of revenue is not as easy as many people imagined and that informed the setting up of a taskforce when he assumed office.

“In fact, we recorded good results in 2023, that’s why I am relying on the taskforce to help in arresting revenue leakages abetted by fake revenue agents,” he said.

He urged residents to call mobile telephone numbers, 07055550346 and 07055550246 to confirm the authenticity and proper designated bank details before making any payment.

“After payment, your evidence of payment will be verified by AMAC Taskforce,” he added.

Maikalangu acknowledged that one of the major challenges he inherited upon assumption of office was fake revenue consultants.

He commended the AMAC Revenue Task Force for its efforts in apprehending and prosecuting the perpetrators.

Maikalangu warned that any partner caught producing its own receipts and documents risk licence revocation and criminal prosecution.

He added that measures were being implemented to collect revenues without resorting to force and eliminate revenue leakages.

On his part, the Chairman, AMAC Revenue and Security Taskforce, Mr Yunusa Yusuf, disclosed that the taskforce had arrested and prosecuted 68 illegal revenue agents.

According to him, steps were also underway to digitise revenue payment in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“The chairman has engaged ICT consultants to digitise our activities.

“Very soon, you will sit and get demand notice and we will be monitoring those who have paid and those who have not paid,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Philip Yatai

Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has promised to provide maximum security for the contractors handling various projects in the federal capital.

Director, Development Control, FCTA, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, gave the assurance when he led a security task force to Shehu Shagari road in Gwarinpa District, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the assurance was sequel to the attack on some workers of CBC Global handling the ongoing construction of N16 Road project in the area on Friday by hoodlums.

Galadima assured the contractors that FCTA would deal with anyone obstructing construction of any public interest project across the territory.

He said that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, had directed that all necessary security provisions be made to protect the contractors.

He also said that the cashew trees by the roadside were being removed, as they were housing all manner of shanties and suspected criminal elements, thus constituting security threats to the area.

“Our job on the project site is to make sure that some illegal structures are not preventing the work and we have done the needful by removing illegal structures and shanties.

“If there is any reaction or protest by any other person, there are security agencies that are responsible for taking care of that.

“On the cashew plantation, several times, we found out that these cashew trees provide safe haven for men of the underworld and that is why we are cutting them down,” he said.

On his part, the Secretary, FCT Command and Control Centre, FCTA, Dr Peter Olumuji, said that the hoodlums who attacked CBC Global officials injured some of them and destroyed some of the company’s equipment.

“It is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order.

“So, when they reported the incident to the administration, we had to mobilise today to give them adequate cover so that they can continue their work,” he said.

Olumuji said that the Commissioner of Police in the FCT would deploy a team of policemen to the companies to provide adequate security.

Project Manager of CBC Global, Mr Titus Sende, thanked FCTA for the prompt response and called for reinforcement of security personnel to the area. (NAN)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq