By Philip Yatai

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has warned against the diversion of palliatives meant for poor and vulnerable groups in the territory.

Wike gave the warning in Abuja on Tuesday during the ongoing distribution of food items to vulnerable residents at Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCT Administration (FCTA) on Monday commenced the distribution of 12,000 bags of rice and maize to vulnerable households across the six area councils of the FCT.

The minister, who was represented by Mr Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCTA, reiterated the administration’s commitment to address the plight of the poor.

He explained that the poor and vulnerable persons in the society are the worst hit by the petroleum subsidy removal, stressing the need to prioritise their concerns.

He, therefore, warned those responsible for the distribution exercise to shun every temptation to divert the food items meant to reduce the impacts of the subsidy removal.

“The commitment to sustain the palliative distribution demonstrates the President Bola Tinubu administration’s dedication to provide support to vulnerable residents in the FCT.

“The initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and ensure that essential food items reach those most in need,” Wike said.

Earlier, the Chairman of AMAC, Mr Christopher Maikalangu, urged the administration to allocate more food items to AMAC considering its large population of the poor.

Maikalangu assured the minister that the food items would get to the targeted groups in all the political wards of the council.

In a similar exercise at Bwari Area Council, Wike warned that FCTA would not condone any act of sabotage.

Represented by Mr Ibrahim Aminu, Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, FCTA, the minister explained that the food items were being distributed at the council to bring the items closer to the people.

“Therefore, an individual or stakeholder is not allowed to divert the palliatives meant for the poor people. Let them get it,” he said.

The Chairman of the council, Mr John Gabaya, appealed to the economically viable residents to allow the less-privileged people to get the items.

Gabaya stressed that the food items were meant for the poor with little or no means of survival.

“As such, government officials and appointees should not partake in the sharing or poverty will come upon anyone that hijack the items,” he said.

At Gwagwalada Area Council, the minister urged residents to support President Bola Tinubu-led administration to deliver people-oriented programmes that would impact on their lives.

Wike, who was represented at the event by Mr Bitrus Garki, Area Council Service Secretariat, FCTA, said that he would continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

On his part, the Council Chairman, Mr Abu Giri, commended Tinubu and Wike for reaching out to the poor and the vulnerable in communities. (NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has mandated the demand and verification of Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) as a pre-condition for business transactions in the FCT.

Mr Chinedum Elechi, the Mandate Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public Private Partnership Secretariat, FCT Administration (FCTA), made this known at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.

“I am here today to announce that the Minister of the FCT has approved the implementation of Section 85 of Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) and Section 31 of the FCT Internal Revenue Service Act, 2015.

“Both sections provide for demand and verification of TCC by the Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); Commercial banks; and FCT Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs).

“Implementation of these laws is intended to ensure that all eligible taxpayers in the FCT comply with their tax obligations.

“This will ensure that the FCT Administration gets the required resources it needs to provide essential services to FCT residents,” he said.

Elechi explained that Section 85 of the Personal Income Tax Act, 2011, provides that MDAs or a commercial bank demand for TCC when transacting with any person as specified by the law.

He added that the TCC would cover the immediate past three years preceding the current year of assessment.

He further said that MDAs or commercial banks shall also verify the authenticity of the tax clearance certificate by the issuing tax authority before carrying out any of the transactions.

“Section 85 of PITA also provides that for purposes of obtaining a TCC, any person who gives incorrect information or obtains a TCC through misrepresentation, forgery or falsification is guilty of an offence.

“Such a person is liable on conviction to a fine of N50,000, plus twice the tax payable by him or her, or to imprisonment for three years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

“Similarly, a person, be it a government organisation or corporate entity to whom Section 85 applies, who fails to demand for, or verify a TCC, is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5 million, or to imprisonment for three years or both fine and imprisonment,” he said.

The mandate secretary added that Section 31 of the FCT – IRS Act equally makes TCC a pre-condition for transacting any business in the FCT.

He identified some of the transactions that require a TCC as property transactions, certificate of occupancy, registration as a contractor, awards of contracts and building plan approval.

Others are: government licence or permit, application relating to the establishment or conduct of business, FCTA housing loan, motor vehicle registration, registration of distributorship and confirmation of membership of any public board.

Other affected transactions include: registration of a limited partnership, application for market stalls, and appointment or election into public office among others.

“Consequently, all MDAs, commercial banks and SDAs were required to demand and verify TCC from all taxpayers before providing them with any services.

“On behalf of the FCT Administration, we urge all individuals, corporations, corporation-soles, trustees, or executors to ensure that they pay their taxes, obtain their TCCs and present them whenever required,” Elechi said.

According to him, the primary mandate of the government is to provide security and welfare of the people, adding that this cannot be achieved if citizens do not pay their taxes.

“Taxes are essential to the foundation of any government, and it is important that everyone pays their fair share as a civic duty and responsibility,” he added. (NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Philip Yatai

By Philip Yatai

A heavy downpour on Friday evening claimed the life of a 31-year old motorcyclist identified as Yakubu Lucky, at Dogon Gada in Lokogoma District of the FCT, Abuja.

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which confirmed the incident in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, said the deceased defied warnings, drove into a pool of water and drowned.

The statement, signed by FEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Mrs Nkechi Isa, said that the deceased defied warnings from the local divers stationed in the area by FEMA.

It added that the deceased also navigated through the barricade placed by the agency to stop residents from going through the flooding water.

The statement added that the Search and Rescue Team of FEMA, led by Mrs Florence Wenegieme, the Director, Forecasting Response and Mitigation, recovered the body of the deceased on Saturday.

It further said that the body was deposited at the Asokoro District Hospital where a doctor confirmed him dead.

“The family of the deceased who hailed from Zango Kataf, Kaduna State, has since taken his body away for burial,” the statement added.

Reacting to the development, the acting Director-General of FEMA, Mr Mohammed Sabo, appealed to residents to always heed to the warnings issued by the agency.

Sani said that the FEMA always places a barricade at Dogon Gada during heavy downpours.

He urged residents not to drive into a pool of water but should wait for it to recede or seek an alternative route.

Sabo commiserated with the family of the deceased and called on residents to always use the 112 emergency toll-free number in the event of a disaster or emergency. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Philip Yatai

The Abuja National Mosque Management Board has debunked the news alleging that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, had ordered a partial demolition of the National Mosque, Abuja.

Amb. Haliu Shuaib, its Director, Finance and Administration, discredited the media reports at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Shuaib called on Muslim faithful to disregard what he described as a “campaign of calumny” against Wike.

He further described the report as the “handiwork of conflict merchants” bent on creating religious tension in the nation and casting the minister in bad light.

He explained that the Board’s visit to Wike on Wednesday was fruitful as he received them warmly and approved  their requests.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the Board, led by its Chairman, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, had visited the minister to seek clarification on the status of its plots 63 and 99.

The visit followed FCTA’s three months’ grace to undeveloped plot owners to develop same or have the certification revoked.

Shuaib recalled that at the meeting, Wike extended the three-month ultimatum for  the religious groups since they largely depend on free will donations from members.

“It has come to the attention of the Abuja National Mosque Management that there is a news item making the rounds in social and print media regarding the purported partial demolition of the National Mosque.

“The report is creating tension and anxiety amongst the Muslim Ummah in the country and beyond.

“The Chairman of the Abuja National Mosque Management Board and his delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of the FCT, and were warmly received.

“Discussions were constructive and cordial; issues of mutual interest were discussed.

“As it affects the development of plot 99, the Minister was briefed that the development of the plot was receiving serious attention.

“On the development of Plot 63, opposite Yar’adua Centre, the Chairman briefed Wike that substantial part of the plot  had been consumed by the proposed Inner Northern Expressway.

“The Chairman, therefore, requested to know the status of the plot and that the remaining part be re-allocated and appropriate replacement of the lost portion be given to the Mosque.

“To this request, the minister’s response was positive.

“On renovation of the Mosque, the Chairman appealed to Wike to use his good office to complete the rehabilitation/renovation of the National Mosque. He promised to look at the issue.

“The National Mosque wishes to inform the public that there was never a time the minister mentioned the demolition of any part of the National Mosque.

“The general public should, therefore, ignore the social and print media campaign and completely disregard the fake news in circulation,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Shehu Ahmad, Executive Secretary, FCDA, has said that the minister had not been briefed about the status of plot 63 belonging to the mosque, part of which was affected by a road interchange.

Ahmad explained that Wike gave the FCDA 24 hours to brief him on the issue with a view to compensate the Mosque for the affected portion of the land.

“We have complied with the directive and have briefed the minister who immediately approved that the excised portion be taken note of with a view to re-issue a title to compensate them for the lost portion.

“The minister had assured the delegation of the support of the FCT Administration in the maintenance of the National Mosque as well as the National Christian Centre as National Monuments.

“The above explanation is the true and correct reflection of what actually transpired as confirmed by the National Mosque Management Board.

“It is, therefore, hoped that this explanation will close the so-called National Mosque demolition falsehood,” he said. (NAN)

By Philip Yatai

Mr Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has urged residents of the FCT to plant trees as part of strategies to combat climate change.

Geidam, who made the call during a visit to the FCT Plant Nursery in Bwari on Friday, expressed concern over the loss of tree covers resulting from rapid developmental activities in the FCT.

He noted that climate change has emerged as a global concern, with its detrimental effects being felt across the world.

He said that FCT, like many other urban areas, has experienced the depletion of its green cover due to urbanisation and developmental projects.

According to him, the removal of trees not only contributes to the loss of biodiversity but also exacerbates climate change by intensifying the urban heat and negatively affecting vegetation.

“To address this challenge, residents must join the ongoing efforts to replant trees in areas where there are no trees or areas where trees were lost to development activities.”

He explained that the visit to the nursery was in continuation of his familiarisation tour of agricultural projects in the FCT.

At the Bwari Fish Farm Estate, the secretary assured stakeholders that the project would receive full attention and support from the FCT Administration.

He reiterated the importance of engaging all allottees and addressing infrastructure needs to facilitate their activities, assuring that it would be giving attention to the Estate.

“We will, as a strategy, engage all the allottees while also addressing the issue of provision of infrastructure to enable the allottees conduct their activities with ease,” the secretary said.

Geidam also directed the Agriculture Services and Rural Development Department to come up with strategies that will make technology not only available but for the utilization of rural farmers.

He stressed that the FCTA through technological advancements hoped to improve agricultural productivity to meet the growing demand for food.

Other areas visited included the FCT Agricultural Development Program (ADP), Fadama offices and Agriculture Central Store and Mechanical Workshop at Gwagwalada Area Council.

At the ADP, the secretary expressed satisfaction with the ongoing activities of the FCT Fadama CARES Programme for promoting sustainable agriculture and supporting local farmers.

He equally expressed the readiness of the Administration to provide a conducive working environment for Agricultural workers to deliver efficient extension services to FCT farmers.

He also reiterated the commitment of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike and FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud to achieving sustainable food and nutrition security. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has approved the withdrawal and revocation of houses sold to individuals by the FCT Administration but converted to other uses.

Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Galadima recalled that the Federal Government in 2005 initiated the monetisation programme because of the cost of maintaining the houses.

He explained that the houses were sold to the occupiers so that they could maintain them.

He, however, said that after some time, some of the beneficiaries converted the houses from residential to other uses.

This, according to him, constitutes so much burden in terms of city administration and management that this administration felt it cannot condone any longer.

“It is on this note that the minister has approved and directed that all owners of such properties should revert the use of the properties to its original and designated land use which is residential.

“Failing to comply with this directive as from Nov. 1, the house is considered as revoked.

“We are given such persons and individuals to the end of October to revert to original uses, otherwise from Nov. 1, they should consider such properties as revoked and returned to FCTA,” he said.

The director said that so far, the department has recorded more than 111 cases of land use conversion in respect of the sold houses, cutting across all the districts of the capital city.

He added that owners of the properties have been informed and given notices to revert to the original land uses but failed to comply.

According to him, once these houses are revoked the FCTA will decide the next line of action.

“The minister has also directed that owners of properties, particularly along major streets that have converted their properties to other uses without approval should either revert to original use or pay contravention charges.

“Anyone that fails to comply with such a directive, the administration will take appropriate action, which may include revocation.

“It is on this note that we felt it wise to inform the public of the decision and directive of the FCT Administration with regards to the indiscriminate conversion of land uses in FCT.

“This is done to maintain the sanctity of the Abuja Master Plan.” (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Philip Yatai

Abuja, The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), on Thursday, dismissed the misleading media reports insinuating that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike has ordered partial demolition of the National Mosque, Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by the Head, Public Relations/Information, FCDA, Mr Richard Nduul, in Abuja on Thursday.

“The attention of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has been drawn to an online news story that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike has given the Executive Secretary, Mr Shehu Ahmad 24 hours to explain the government’s position concerning the partial demolition of the National Mosque.

“The FCDA wishes to state unequivocally that as far as it is concerned, the news is fake or at best a mixed up by the reporter.

“There was no time whatsoever that the Honourable Minister of the FCT directed for the demolition of the National Mosque nor did the Executive Secretary receive any directive pertaining to the demolition of the National Mosque,” it said.

The statement explained that members of the Abuja Mosque Management Committee led by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, visited the minister on Wednesday.

It explained that during the visit, the chairman appealed for more time to develop the two plots of land allocated to the National Mosque by the FCT Administration.

“One of which (Plot 63) is substantially affected by a future road development – the Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) and for which an alternative or replacement is being awaited.

“This is in view of the recent revocation of land title allocations which have remained undeveloped over time.

“It was in the light of the above therefore that Wike who at the time was yet to be briefed on the development, directed Ahmad, to immediately brief him within 24 hours on the issue of the National Mosque Lands.

“It is pertinent to state that the minister’s directive on the status of the lands allocated to the National Mosque, was contrary to what the reporter portrays as the demolition of the National Mosque,” it explained.

The statement added that as a further demonstration of good faith, the Minister assured the delegation of the support of the FCT Administration in the maintenance of the National Mosque.

This, it said, includes the National Christian Center which were all National Monuments.

“The above explanation is the true and correct reflection of what actually transpired, and this could also be further confirmed from the National Mosque Management Board.

“It is therefore hoped that this explanation will bring a closure to the so-called National Mosque demolition fallacy,” the statement said. (NAN)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali