FCT Minister Promises to Achieve Buhari’s Goals
Jaiyeola Andrews in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said it will strive to achieve all set goals in the development of FCT in line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, gave this assurance while receiving the participants of Course 38 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru-Jos, who were in Abuja for a study tour on Wednesday.
The minister reiterated that a lot has been achieved and a lot more needed to done to fast track the development of the entire FCT as envisaged by its founding fathers.
Bello noted that his administration would not leave any stone unturned as he strives to upscale the infrastructural development of the city and its environs including the provision of services in the territory.
“I assure you that this administration will continue to strive very hard to achieve all the goals set for us in all aspects so that we will continue to advance the society,” the minister said.
He noted that his administration was aware that there was still a lot to be done in respect of poverty alleviation as well as development of rural communities.
He added that the present government would not rest on its oars until it improves the living standard of FCT residents.
“When you talk about Abuja, the initial impression is that the city is beautiful with roads, streetlights and beautiful
buildings but the reality of Abuja is much more than the beautiful things you have seen,” Bello said.
He urged the participants to feel free to come out with a realistic assessment of the city so as to help government in taking critical decisions.
During the interactive session, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, stated that the FCT Administration’s policy on poverty reduction and inclusive development was targeted at people in the rural communities.
Ajakaiye explained that FCTA operates with what “we call Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs) just like the MDAs in the federal government.”
He explained that the secretariats and departments operates more as policy-making organs, while the agencies implement these
policies as formulated.
He said FCTA has seven mandate secretariats which included Education, Transportation, Health and
Human Services, Social Development, Agriculture & Rural Development,
Area Council Services and Legal Services Secretariats as well as the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council that takes care of the municipal services.
Earlier, leader of the NIPSS delegation, Professor Abu Galadima, advised the FCTA to send officials to the Institute during the participants’ presentation of its study report.
According to him, it was the tradition of the institute that when a report is presented at the institute, the affected organisation and in this case the FCTA was expected to be there to
listen, interact with the rest of the participants and come back with
a report to the minister.
