By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has introduced e-booking and e-ticketing of vehicles in the Federal Capital City, Abuja, to block revenue leakages.

Dr Abdulateef Bello, Director, Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), FCTA, made this known during a training of operational staff of the directorate on e-booking and e-billing systems in Abuja on Wednesday.

Bello explained that the move was to curb revenue leakages, promote transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in the FCT traffic management system.

He said that the implementation of the e-ticketing system would begin in the city centre due to the heavy traffic before it would be extended to the suburbs in days to come.

The director explained that the system would allow offenders to appeal or protest unsatisfactory bookings to ensure justice and address discrepancies.

“This evolution will empower DRTS officers to serve the public better by delivering services that are not only seamless but efficient and transparent.

“The new paperless system exemplifies our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to serve our community with unparalleled efficiency and integrity.

“This will equally eliminate the challenges associated with manual systems. It will also help us to manage fines and ticketing systems while minimizing revenue leakages,” he said.

Bello said that with the e-platforms in place, the directorate would be able to have a comprehensive record of all transactions.

This, he said, would ensure that every money due to the government goes to the government and accounted for.

He added that the systems offer seamless payment options for offenders and would enhance their overall experience while interacting with the officials of the directorates.

“It provides easy access to penalty records from various endpoints, audit trail history and other related data analytics.

“This will ensure accountability and informed decision-making,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was attended by all operational staff from the 22 commands of the directorates. (NAN)

Edited by Polycarp Auta

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has warned against any attempt to tamper with the political structure in Rivers.

Wike gave the warning after a closed-door meeting with members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, led by its Chairman, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mohammed was accompanied by the Governors of Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri, Mr Caleb Muftwang, of Plateau and Mr Agbu Kefas of Taraba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a crisis had erupted in Rivers on Monday, after an attempt by the Rivers Assembly to impeach the incumbent Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara.

Wike told the visiting governors that he would not be intimidated by any one for his influence in Rivers or his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as FCT minister.

He explained that the impeachment move was not a military coup, but in line with the provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He dismissed the rumours going round that the fracas was born out of his interest in the finances of the state, which he dismissed as “absolute rubbish.”

“No body can take away the political structure in Rivers; nobody can intimidate me. If I want to do something, I will do it.

“The impeachment is not a military coup; it is provided under the constitution. Also, I am not interested in all the rumours, money, this, and that. Rubbish. Absolute rubbish.

“I just left the office, how many months ago? And I am FCT Minister, so which money? But nobody can take away our political structure. No one.

“You cannot work, and people will begin to bring enemies; those who fought you when you were struggling for the person to be in office. Nobody does that.

“I am not a political ingrate, but don’t touch the political structure of the state. I will not shut my eyes,” Wike said.

The minister thanked the forum for the visit and further thanked President Tinubu for finding him worthy to serve in his cabinet, stressing that he was still a member of the PDP working for Tinubu and not APC.

“Forget about the Obidients and the Atikus who have lost and felt that I did not support them, and those that I revoked their Certificate of Occupancy.

“Oh! Wike did this; Wike did that because I didn’t support Obi, and didn’t support their own Presidential candidate, and all of you just teamed up ‘Wike! Wike! Wike!’.

“I am not disturbed; I will do what is right; and my conscience is clear. I am not the person you think that you will now go to social media and say all kinds of things.

“You must be careful, I have the capacity to fight back”, he warned.

Earlier, Mohammed thanked Wike for the willingness to resolve crises, noting that the forum had waded into the matter because of the importance of Rivers to the party.

He also commended the Tinubu for appointing one of their own to serve in his government, noting that Wike’s antecedents spoke volumes about his ability to lead. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Water Board says plans are underway to improve revenue generation and reposition itself for better service delivery.

The acting General Manager of the board, Mr Daniel Salka, stated this in Abuja on Friday, while presenting computer hardware, software, and other accessories to five Area Offices and three Units of the board.

Salka disclosed that the board currently generates N300 million monthly, representing 52 per cent of the board’s annual target.

He commended the members of staff for the unprecedented feat and urged them to do better through rededication, professionalism and efficiency in service delivery.

Salka further called on the staff to redouble their efforts with the goal to increase the revenue base of the board.

He explained that the computers and the accessories were provided in partnership with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Business Advisory Project.

According to him, the aim is to reduce non-revenue water, boost service delivery and enhance revenue generation.

He assured that all other area offices and units of the board would also get the computers in due course.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Area Manager of Jabi, Mr Yusuf Yelwa, commended Salka for the motivation and promised to use the computers for the purpose they were procured.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JICA partnered with the board to actualize it’s corporate status in line with the FCT Water Board Act, 2017.

JICA is assisting the board with capacity building, non-revenue reduction effort, development of legal framework, and Customer Service Charter

“The agency is also supporting the application of smart bill, cloud billing systems for ease of doing business,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Friday inaugurated a two-bedroom semi-detached bungalow constructed and furnished by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of Government Secondary School, Gwagwalada, in Abuja.

The intervention was to meet the accommodation needs of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) being posted to the school for the one-year mandatory service.

The Director/Secretary, Secondary Education Board, FCTA, Dr Mohamed Ladan, while inaugurating the edifice at the school premises, said that the twin flat was constructed from the N3,000 PTA termly charges.

Ladan explained that the lodge was well equipped with modern facilities to ensure that the corps members were comfortable, to enhance their productivity.

He described the lodge as a “symbol of unity” that would foster a sense of togetherness and cooperation among Nigerians from different ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds.

He said that the PTA’s support was due to the association’s unwavering dedication to enhancing the educational experience of their children and their support for the educational development of the community.

He thanked the PTA for the gesture, stressing that it would solve the accommodation problem being faced by corps members posted to the school.

“Since last week, I have been going from one school to the other, inaugurating intervention projects donated by PTA.

“The facility is one out of many others that are helping to improve the learning environment.

“As such, school principals need to do more through the PTA, as the government cannot do it alone,” he said.

The NYSC Coordinator in FCT, Mrs. Winifred Shokpeka, noted that the NYSC placed a premium on the welfare and security of corps members, irrespective of their locations.

She said that the laudable efforts underscored the need to improve the security and welfare of corps members and other NYSC staff to engender optimal service delivery to the nation.

“I, therefore, commend your foresight and urge other organizations and corps employers to emulate this kind gesture by prioritising corps members’ welfare and security to get the best out of them,” she said.

The Chairman of the PTA, Past. John Okolo, disclosed that the project was conceived in early 2022 while the construction commenced in March 2023.

Okolo said that the construction and furnishing of the apartments gulped over N17 million generated from the PTA’s charges of N3,000 per term.

“With the little token of N3,000 PTA charges, grace and fear of God, we were able to get this done and we will do more if we can pool the needed resources,” he said.

The Principal, Mr Victor Orifah, said the facility was crucial, considering the shortage of teachers and the critical role the corps members would play in closing the gap.

Orifah disclosed that lack of accommodation had made it difficult for the school to retain corps members.

“The PTA of this school has been very proactive. This project being inaugurated today is just one among several other interventions of the PTA in the state,” he said. (NAN)

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Government has provided 600 bags of 50kg rice and 200 bags of maize to Muslim community in the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory.

Alhaji Rabiu Mohammed, the Chairman of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), FCT Chapter, confirmed this while handing over the food items to the leadership of the Committee of FCT Imams Initiative on Thursday in Abuja.

He explained that the palliative was meant to cushion the impact of the removal of petroleum subsidy by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“ We are here today to distribute the palliatives that the Federal Government actually gave us, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Federal Capital Territory Chapter.

“ The Federal Government gave us 600 bags of rice and 200 bags of maize which we are handing over to the Chairman of the Committee of the FCT Imams Initiative, Sheikh Tajudeen Adigun.

“ On behalf of the Federal Government, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has decided to handover the items for distribution to the people here in the FCT,” said Mohammed.

He said that JNI believe that the Committee of Imams are part of it being the Umbrella of all Muslim organisations in the country.

“The committee of Imams have the structures to reach out to the target beneficiaries across the nooks and crannies of the the territory.

“On behalf of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), I wish to handover the items to the chairman of the FCT Committee of Imams so that they can start distribution of the palliatives to the nooks and crannies of the territory.”

Receiving the foodstuff, Adigun said the committee of Imams have agreed to share 80 bags of rice and 30 bags of maize to each area council of the territory.

He said: “There are other organisations that are also going to have their shares of the food items like the Jama’atu Nasral Da’awah and Muslim Community Centre.

“Some food items will actually go to the Imams who are poor. This distribution, as you are seeing, vehicles standing are loading.

“You can see the trucks have started loading and the Imams of each of the area councils are here and their representatives who are going to follow these trucks to their Juma’at mosques.

“And by Zuhur, people are there waiting for them, it is going to be from this point to the point of distribution and it will be distributed in ther presence of Emirs of those area councils.”

The cleric commended the federal government for the palliative, noting that Islam encouraged Muslims to always appreciate no matter a little gesture done to them.

“We thank the Federal Government for the effort they have done. Nigeria is a big country. We are 200 million and over.

“I think what will cushion the impact of hardship in Nigeria will be a long way distance, but we always appreciate the little the government is doing.

“And we are encouraging them to do more,” Adigun said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Philip Yatai

Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom  Wike on Wednesday in Abuja advised the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Committee of FCT Imams Initiative (CFII) to be wary of ambitious politicians.

Wike gave the advice when executive members of CAN, led by its National President, Most Rev. Daniel Okoh and those of CFII led by the Chairman, Imam Tajudeen Adigun, paid him a courtesy visit.

The minister said at separate meetings with the religious groups that politicians, desperate for power could do anything to divide the country for their selfish interests.

During his meeting with CAN, Wike said: “Let me advise all of us. You say you are not politicians, but be careful about politicians. Be careful with politicians who are so desperate to get power.

“Be careful with politicians who can do anything just because of power. It is not everything you read in social media that is correct. Ask questions.

“If there is anything you hear that the FCT is trying to do, do not hesitate to ask questions so that we will be able to defend the government and defend ourselves,’’ he said.

The minister noted that opposition politicians who could not face the victorious ones on the political turf usually ran back to religious leaders with tales about hatred.

Wike stressed the need for religious leaders to always ask questions before taking action and urged the clerics to pray for the leadership of the country.

According to him, once a leader emerges after an election, people should leave their personal view and pray for the leaders to succeed so that the country will succeed.

“God has voted a president for this country; pray for him to succeed. Harsh decisions are being taken to address the wrong way things had been done.

“This is not the time to criticise, but a time to help Nigeria to grow,’’ he stressed.

The minister promised that the FCT Administration would continue to support the National Christian Centre and the National Mosque, which he described as “national assets’’.

Wike promised to visit the two national monuments to assess the state of rehabilitation there so as to determine the nature of assistance that would be directed at the two.

“We will continue to support the National Mosque and the National Christian Centre,” the minister assured.

Earlier, Okoh said the CAN leadership visited to declare full support for the Wike-led administration and to pray for him to succeed.

He reiterated CAN’s commitment to continue to engage stakeholders and to promote societal cohesion.

Okoh appealed to the minister to award the contract for the second phase of the rehabilitation of the National Christian Centre, adding that Phase One had been concluded in May 2023.

At his meeting with the Imams, Wike also told the CFII to be wary of politicians who never loved Nigeria but were fond of causing disunity.

“You have to be careful as religious leaders; don’t allow desperate politicians and those who think if they are not in power, Nigeria must come down to sell or distort information.

“Do not hesitate to ask questions about anything that you are not clear about. If you follow politicians’ propaganda, you are not doing anything meaningful to yourself.

“Politics is over; a president has emerged. It is for you the leaders to now pray to God to guide the president, give him the wisdom, and bring out ideas on how the nation will grow.

“If he fails, Nigerians have failed,’’ he said.

Wike pledged renewed partnership with the group particularly on issues that concern it.

Earlier, Chairman of the CFII, Imam Adigun described Wike as a true Nigerian and pledged the initiative’s support and advice for growth, development, and unity in the FCT.

Wike had earlier pledged continued support for the maintenance and development of the Abuja National Mosque.

He gave the pledge on Oct. 18 in Abuja when the mosque’s Management Board, led by its Chairman, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, visited him. (NAN)

Edited by Alli Hakeem