The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has promised quick intervention following the kidnapping of no fewer than 19 persons in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja on Thursday.
This came after it was revealed that over 30 people were killed a few days ago in a landslip caused by unlicensed miners’ activities in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This was disclosed on Thursday at a maiden meeting between the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, and the six Area Council Chairmen.
Disturbed by the developments, Wike stated that he would summon the FCT Director of State Services as well as the Commissioner of Police to receive adequate briefings on the kidnap and facilitate rescue operations.
While urging the council bosses to set up surveillance task forces in their areas to monitor mining activities, Wike stated that he would meet with his counterpart in solid minerals, Dele Alake, to eliminate illegal mining in the FCT.
The Kwali Area Council chairman, Danladi Chiya, who spoke on the challenges confronting the councils, appealed to the minister and the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, to come to their aid.
He said, “When we heard about your appointment, we were happy because you have been a Council Chairman and therefore understand our challenges.
“Our challenges are the inadequate funding of the local government system.
“We have the major challenge of insecurity across the six Area Councils. Just today (Thursday), about 19 people were kidnapped in the Bwari Area Council. I just received about five people in my council who were in captivity for about six days.
“The next step is the development of satellite towns. The issue of sanitation is one of the major challenges confronting us.
“There is also no efficient transport facility. The Abuja Urban Mass Transit buses are no longer functional.
“Then there is the issue of land allocation. You sit on your council, and your backyard will be allocated to someone you don’t even know. Your graveyards and worship centres would be allocated, and we are saying that we should be carried along in terms of land allocation.
“The responsibility of primary school teachers lies with the local governments. The UBE’s payment of salaries lies with the council, which by law is supposed to be 60–40 percent. We are pleading that you help us so that this issue can be looked into”.
Abdullahi Sabo, the Kuje Area Council Chairman, lamented the menace of illegal miners.
He said, “The issue of illegal mining in the FCT There are indiscriminate mining licences given out, and this has led to insecurity. They give letters of consent to Chinese people.
Just a few days ago, there was a land slide that took the lives of 30 people as a result of the activities of illegal miners. We appeal to you to engage the Minister of Mines to stop mining in the FCT”.
The Chairman of Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, called for more inclusion of council chairmen in land allocations.
“Sometime ago in 2017, I was a council staffer then. All the council land departments are centralised in Area 11, and since then there has been no way of controlling their activities. If you look at Dutse, you will see unplanned developments, and you will be wondering who is controlling them. We only watch. We can’t do anything because we can’t control them”.
Speaking on the issues, Wike promised to address them, stating that, as a former council boss, he understood their predicament.
He said, “I am here to work for the FCT, not for any political party. I am here to support the administration of Asiwaju in realising the dreams of the founding fathers. It doesn’t matter your political affiliation or religion; I am here to serve all.
“We cannot achieve anything without support from the councils.” We are not struggling for power, so we have to collaborate.
“It is in your interest as council chairmen to work for the people, which you can do by collaborating with us. What affects you affects me, and so I will not be anywhere and allow area councils to be shortchanged.
“I will want to advise that we manage what we have, but we will work to ensure that what you are supposed to get, you get it, and nobody will shortchange you.
“Insecurity is a major problem all over, and those of you who are outside the municipality have to work hard. Information is key. The incident of kidnapping you talked about—nobody has reported that to me. It is a serious issue, and we need to call an emergency security meeting. I have to call the Director of SSS and the CP now to get more details because it is embarrassing to me. Though I am happy you said the SSS official and the DPO in the affected council are informed of the situation,
“On sanitation, we have a problem. Sanitation is a big issue. It is the duty of the council not just to collect the fees but also to dispose of refuse. We have to sit down and work together on this by adopting a common template.
“On illegal mining, I will talk to the minister. Ordinarily, I would say you should also form your own surveillance task force as Chief Security Officers of your councils and make arrests, and we will support you. However, I will meet with the minister”.
The Minister of State in the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, and the Permanent Secretary in the FCTA, Mr. Olusade Adesola, who spoke earlier, expressed the willingness of the administration to continue to partner with the councils to ensure even development of the territory.
