Author: Philip Daniel Yatai

Relocation

By Philip Yatai

Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Federal Capital Territory Administration, says it will begin the relocation of mechanics and traders operating on road corridors and buffer zones to Wassa.

The AMMC Coordinator, Mr Felix Obuah, disclosed this to newsmen after a meeting with representatives of the affected traders and mechanics in Abuja on Tuesday.

Obuah explained that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, has approved the exercise designated for such businesses, adding that the evacuation would begin in a month’s time.

He identified those to be relocated as all traders, artisans, mechanics, spare parts dealers, furniture makers, roadside cooking gas dealers and others operating on road corridors across the city.

“We have decided to relocate all the traders on the road corridor, the buffers, and right of ways to Wassa any moment from now and they are all happy.

“By the special grace of God, we will do it to the satisfaction of everybody.

“The minister has given the approval and as I speak to you, the taskforce in charge of the area has been set up.

“The technical team in charge of the relocation will be set up any moment from now,” Obuah said.

He said that Wike has given a matching order, adding that it would be followed judiciously without compromise.

Obuah said that the development would put an end to the over 15 years struggle to relocate operators of Apo mechanic village sitting on a road corridor and obstructing right of way.

The coordinator added that the over 50 associations of artisans, mechanics and spare parts dealers in the FCT have been collapsed into four unions for effective coordination and information sharing.

He said that the land allocation would be given to genuine traders, spare parts dealers, mechanics, furniture makers and artisans among others.

“We are not given the land to individuals, friends, or civil servants. It is purely for traders, mechanics, spare parts dealers and artisans operating on road corridors.

“The beneficiaries will provide National Identification Number, phone numbers, their addresses and the kind of business they are operating.

“We will also set up an enumeration team to go and verify the information provided before we can give out the allocations.

“It is no longer when one family will bring father, mother, son and everybody to get land while other people do not have,” Obuah said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FDY/BRM

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Flood

By Philip Yatai

Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), says no life was lost to the Monday morning flash flood in Trademore Estate in Lugbe, Abuja.

The acting Director-General (D-G) of FEMD, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, stated this while assessing the extent of the flash flood that submerged some of the houses up to window level.

“There was no distress call from the residents of Trademore Estate. It was a passerby that saw the flooding and called us and there was no report of anybody missing.

“I am here with some members of the residents’ association and none of them reported that somebody is missing, dead or that somebody was drawn.

“If there is any, we have not received such a report,” Wenegieme said.

Supporting FEMD’s position, a security man with Pento Security Guard, Mr Eborn Sunday, equally said: “I am not aware of anyone that was killed by the flash flood this morning.

“We were on duty when the rain started around 7 a.m. Suddenly we saw the water level rising up and we started securing our belongings.

“After that, we started helping people whose houses were being submerged to safety. The water flooded the houses towards the estate gate up to window level, but no life was lost.”

The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that FEMD, along with officials from the National Emergency Management Agency, Department of Development Control, Department of Engineering Services, and Fire Service were at the scene to assess the situation.

Wenegieme explained while speaking to journalists that the emergency officials were not supposed to be at the estate because it was declared a disaster zone in 2022 due to the recurring flooding in the area.

Wenegieme said that the 2023 incident submerged almost all the houses in the estate.

She equally said that her team was not supposed to be at the estate because the residents had dragged FCT Administration to court over plans to demolish all houses built on waterways.

She said that about 116 houses were marked for demolition because they were built on waterways, but FCTA was restrained from removing the houses by a Court Injunction obtained by the residents.

According to her, the houses that were submerged by the flash flood were part of the 116 houses marked for demolition for sitting on flood plain.

“The injunction stopped FCTA from removing all obstruction along the waterway, which was part of the solution to the lingering challenge.

“The residents were also advised to move out of the area, but they refused to move.

“We are here again to advise them that they should move out of the location in their own interest,” she said.

The acting D-G further said: “We have just discovered a school on the flood plain with students that could be up to 500, including their teachers, management and other non-academic staff.

“Their lives are at stake.”

She advised the school management to relocate the school to safer grounds for the sake of the children and the teachers, including the properties.

“You all are not safe when there is flooding.

“If there is a heavy downpour again, you never can tell what will happen and that is why we don’t want our children, the leaders of tomorrow, to remain here.

“We are just here to advise you for now,” she said.

She noted that the residents of the estate had mobilised their engineers who came up with an engineering solution that apparently did not solve the problem.

She appealed to the residents to move and allow the government to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

“But a situation where houses are still sitting on waterways and they are refusing to move, tell me how we will be able to solve the problem?

“If the court injunction is removed, and we are given the opportunity to come and put things in place, the FCT Administration will come and put things in place,” she added.

On the contrary, Mr Inemesit Udofot, Chairman, Trademore Estate Residents Association, Phase II, said that no house was sitting on a flood plain in the estate.

Udofot claimed that the recurrent flooding in the estate was largely caused by the channelling of water into Trademore by the adjoining estates.

According to him, demolition is not the way out. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FDY/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Meat

By Philip Yatai

Abuja, June 18, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), in collaboration with Near Foundation, has distributed meat to 150 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Abuja, to celebrate Eid-el Kabir.

Acting Director-General of FEMD, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, explained during the distribution exercise in Abuja on Tuesday, that the support was part of measures to leave no one behind.

Wenegieme said that the distribution of the meat would give the IDPs a sense of belonging, saying, “It is not everybody that can afford a ram or even a chicken.”

The acting D-G urged other organisations to emulate the good will of Near Foundation to give vulnerable people hope in life.

“Beyond reaching out to vulnerable people, FEMD in partnership with other organisations will equally build the capacity of IDPs in different skills for self-reliance.

“We pray that Near Foundation and other NGOs we are collaborating with will design different programmes for the poor and vulnerable in the FCT.

“Helping the less privileged people in our midst will give them hope,” she said.

The Programme Manager of Near Foundation, Mr Abdulmalik Bulakos, said that the partnership with FEMD was to strengthen humanitarian support for distressed people.

Bulakos said that the strategic partnership with FEMD helped the foundation in identifying the vulnerable people in FCT, particularly IDPs.

He explained that humanitarian aid was one of the intervention areas of the foundation, to reach out to poor and vulnerable people in communities, particularly with the current economic hardship in the country.

On the meat package, the programme manager said that each IDP would receive four kilogrammes of meat to celebrate Eid-el Kabir.

He said that so far, the foundation has slaughtered over 1,200 cows and distributed meat packages to more than 50,000 vulnerable residents of FCT.

“This part of the tradition of Near Foundation. It is an annual event and still ongoing, as evident with distribution of meat packages to more than 150 IDPs in Abuja,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Mohammed Abdulrahman, Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, FEMD, described the gesture and life changing.

“This is five years now that they have been consistently doing this. Every salah, the foundation touches the lives of vulnerable people,” Abdulrahman said.

One of the IDPs in Kabusa, Mr Yahaya Hassan, said he could not afford meat for the Eid-el Kabir celebration and thanked FEMD and Near Foundation for supporting him with meat to celebrate salah.

Similarly, Mrs Halita Joseph, an IDP in Yimutu IDP Camp, equally thanked the foundation and FEMD for remembering IDPs every year during salah. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FDY/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Sallah

By Philip Yatai

Abuja, June 15, 2025 (NAN) The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has urged the Muslim frightful to pray for President Bola Tinubu to successfully steer the country towards a brighter future.

Wike made the appeal in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim Ummah in Abuja on Saturday.

The minister said: “Kindly remember our President and the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to steer our nation towards a brighter future.

“Your prayers and support are crucial in achieving these goals and ensuring that our leaders are guided by wisdom and integrity.

“I also call upon the Muslim faithful to use this period to offer prayers for our beloved country, Nigeria for peace, stability, and prosperity.”

Describing Eid-el-Kabir as the festival of sacrifice in commemoration of the unwavering faith and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim to Allah, the minister said it was time to reflect on the virtues of sacrifice, selflessness, and devotion.

He said that the occasion also teaches us the importance of caring for one another and sharing God’s blessings, especially with less fortunate individuals and households.

“As we celebrate, let us embody these values by showing compassion, generosity, and support to our neighbours and the wider community.

“In these challenging times, let us unite and look out for one another, fostering a spirit of solidarity and kindness.

“We must remember that the FCT was founded on similar principles of unity and the imperativeness of peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians, sharing a common destiny.

“As the FCT Administration, we remain committed to the development of our nation’s capital. We are dedicated to providing the necessary infrastructure that will enhance the quality of life for all residents.

“Our continuous efforts in building roads, schools, hospitals, and other essential services demonstrate our commitment to making the FCT a model for progress and development,” he said.

Wike said that the FCT Administration was making significant strides in improving infrastructure, enhancing security, and promoting economic opportunities in the FCT.

He reiterated the FCTA’s commitment to sustaining ongoing efforts and exploring new initiatives that benefit all residents.

Wikw called for the cooperation of all the residents of the FCT and enjoined them  to support all government policies designed to uplift the wellbeing of all residents and ensure that Abuja remains the pride of Nigeria.

“As we celebrate, let us not forget to be security conscious and obey all extant rules and regulations, especially traffic and sanitation laws,” the minister said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FDY/BRM

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Warning

By Philip Yatai

Abuja, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), has warned of an imminent flood disaster in Jahi and Gishiri Districts, Abuja, due to building on waterways.

The acting Director- General (D-G) of FEMD, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, gave the warning in Abuja on Friday, after a risk assessment exercise in the areas by the department.

Wenegieme said that the assessment has revealed that residents have built houses on waterways and flood plains, with drainage blocked in Jahi and Gishiri.

This, according to her, can lead to flooding, which she said was a disaster waiting to happen.

Wenegieme said,  “Most of the waterways have been obstructed. Residents have built houses on water ways; they have encroached the streams; they have encroached into rivers.

“As you can see, the natural water course has been blocked, even the green areas have been overtaken by illegal buildings.”

She explained that the risk assessment exercise was to enable FEMD to develop strategic mitigating measures against flooding and other disasters and effectively respond to emergencies.

She said that FEMD would write to the Department of Development Control to visit the areas to ensure all developments in the areas were authorised and in conformity with the Abuja Master Plan.

The acting D-G called on FCT residents to desist from building on waterways and sought the cooperation of the residents in the protection of lives and properties following increased volume of rainfall.

In a related development, FEMD has trained 50 staff and volunteers on disaster response in line with global best practices.

Wenegieme said that the simulation training, which began on Thursday, was tagged, “Disaster Response Simulation Exercise.”

She said that the training focused on water safety, water rescue, building collapse, and fire outbreaks.

She said that the simulation exercise was organized to enhance the capacity of the staff and volunteers.

“This simulation exercise and drills are to build our capacity in terms of rescue operations of any kind while paramedics were trained on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation”.

“The training exercise is aimed at equipping the staff and volunteers of the department with the needed skills and expertise to help them discharge their duties in line with global best practices,” she said.

She explained that the volunteer local divers were selected from the six area councils of the FCT.

This, she said, would better equip them with modern and improved methods of rescue operations.

“We have local divers from the six Area Councils, as such, we need to polish their swimming skills, teach them the modern way of carrying out rescue operations during flooding,” she said.

Wenegieme thanked the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike and the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud for the unflinching support to FEMD.

The Facilitator, Mr Joe Oduah, Chief Executive Officer, RCL Industrial Safety Centre, said that building the capacity of FEMD staff and volunteers would significantly improve disaster response and save lives and properties. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FDY/BRM

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Inauguration

By Philip Yatai

Abuja, Jan. 11, 2024 (NAN) The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, inaugurated a 3.2-kilometre road at Shagari/Satellite Quarters, Kwali, in Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

Wike named the road after the famous potter, ceramicist and educator, Ladi Kwali.

He explained that the road was abandoned for 14 years, while the construction of the bridge along the roads was awarded six years earlier.

The minister described Kwali as one of the prominent Nigerians that used her creativity to bring fame and development to the FCT and the country.

He explained that President Tinubu had particularly approved naming the road after Kwali for her contribution to the development of Abuja.

“Mr President said that it is very important that charity begins at home; that this road must be named Ladi Kwali Road,” he added.

He said that road would be fitted with solar-powered streetlights and promised to deliver three strategic roads to the people of Kwali Area Council.

He said: “This road has been abandoned for how many years now? What you see today is the renewed hope agenda we are talking about.

“I am sure that most of you must have lost hope that you took your fate into your hands, since no government will want to feel your plight, but Mr President had said do not lose hope, as he is here to bring your hope back.

“From what he has done on this road today, it shows that indeed, hope is coming back to our people.

“It is not about political parties, but Nigerians; it is about you, the Kwali people; it is about you, the Abuja people.

“It doesn’t matter where you belong, his ambition, his vision is to make Nigerians believe that their hope must come back, and that is why we have done what we have done today.”

The minister added: “This is not the only road we are doing in Kwali. Your chairman has announced the one that we are going to inaugurate soon, and there is another one that is ongoing.

“So, in this year alone, Kwali will have at least three roads.

“So, that is why we are saying, when you have the right leadership, you will get good results.

“I can tell you that Mr President is committed to changing the lives of all of us, to give us our hope that was lost.”

Earlier, Kwali Area Council Chairman, Mr Danladi Chiya, said the newly inaugurated road connected the Kwali main town to the Abuja – Lokoja highway.

Chiya thanked Wike and President Tinubu for completing the road which was unmotorable for over 14 years.

“This project has renewed our hope in Mr President because before now, we had lost hope, but now, he has brought hope to my people”, he said.

The council chairman also commended Wike for naming the road after Ladi Kwali.

He noted while a road was named after her in the United Kingdom and a street in Abuja City centre, “nothing had been named after her in her own hometown, Kwali.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FDY/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

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