Metro
FCTA Loses N18bn Advertisement, Signage Revenue
By Laide Akinboade
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, on Thursday said it lost N18 billion naira in six years to clients and business owners involved in outdoor advertisement and signage activities.
The Director, Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage, DOAS, Babagana Adam, revealed this in an interview with newsmen immediately after a meeting with the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Chairman on how to synergise to stop the leakages by centralising and controlling signage activities in Abuja.
According to him, “We have lost about 3 billion naira each year and when you multiply it times six years, it is18 billion naira that has been lost.
“Imagine how many schools, roads, poutry farms, live stock farms and ICT centres, that would have been built with this money. So we have lost quite alot of money.
“With this new development, I don’t want to look at what we are losing, I will rather love that we strategise and synergise to put a stop to the money leakages.”
Earlier, AMAC Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido said the collaboration is overdue by the two organs of the government, FCTA and AMAC, in order to use the available resources to provide services to the people.
Candido said: “In the last three years , it has not been too good, because we all lost out, the reason why we must collaborate and have a new begining to cement the relationship. We must harmonise to stop double payment by the clients.”
He also noted that the constitution guarantees local governments to operate, and “if you don’t have the capacity, you contract it out so that services can be provided .
“But where Area Councils are undermined are areas that we are frowning at, that we are working together now , I believe it will be understood.”
The AMAC boss therefore reiterated the resolve of the council to support the DOAS to achieve its objective.
Metro
Wike Approves Deployment of FCTA’s Pioneer Perm. Secs
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has approved the deployment of the 10 pioneer Permanent Secretaries of the FCT Administration.
The FCT Head of Service, Dr Udo Atang, announced the deployment in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
Atang said that Dr Adams Babagana was deployed to Health Services and Environment, while Wanki Ibrahim was deployed to Treasury and Budget.
He also said that Asmau Muhktar was deployed to the Social Development Secretariat, while Dogo Bodinga was deployed to Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public Private Partnership Secretariat.
The head of service added that Olusa Olusegun was deployed to the Area Councils Services, Adetoyi Kolawole to Women Affairs, while Grace Adayilo Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat.
Also deployed were Olubunmi Olowookere to Legal Services Secretariat; Ibe Chukwuemeka to Education Secretariat; and Okonkwo Nonubari to Transportation Secretariat.
“The posting takes immediate effect. Thus, the affected officers should handover to their immediate subordinates in their current Secretariats, Departments and Agencies,” Atang said.
Wike had on March 18, inaugurated the permanent secretaries in line with the provisions of the FCT Civil Service Commission Law, 2018, which commenced operation. (NAN)
Metro
FG Declares March 29, April 1, Public Holiday to Mark Easter Celebration
The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1, as public holidays to mark the Easter celebration.This was contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Aishetu Ndayako on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to her, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government. Tunji-Ojo urged Christians and all Nigerians to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man. The minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promoted values of love, forgiveness and compassion which were essential for social cohesion and harmony.He called on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they were capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development of Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.Tunji-Ojo further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.This, he said, was in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.He wished Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration.The minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with the Tinubu’s administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all.Metro
Wike Woos Indian Investors to Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has sought for huge investments from Indian investors, as part of strategies to fast tract the development of the capital territory, Abuja.
Wike made the call when the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Shri Balasubramanian, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.
He acknowledged the presence of many Indian companies in the country, particularly petrochemicals and fertiliser companies among others.
“We would also like to have this kind of relationship in Abuja.
“You have seen improvement in security; you have seen improvement in infrastructure in Abuja. That is part of the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“We will discuss other areas that will be of mutual interest between India and Nigeria, and Abuja in particular,” he said.
The minister said that it was within the purview of the FCT Administration to ensure that all Embassies in Nigeria, have an unhostile environment to enable them perform their assignments.
Earlier, Balasubramanian said that the excellent relationship between India and Nigeria was quite old.
The Ambassador explained that India began its diplomatic relationship with Nigeria two years before the country became independent in 1958, when India established a diplomatic office in Lagos.
He said that there were over 155 Indian companies in Nigeria, with more than 27 billion dollars of investments in various manufacturing areas.
He said that companies ranged from plastics to steel, oil, and pharmaceuticals among others in every sector.
According to him, Indian companies are the second largest employer of labour after the Nigerian government.
“So that is the level of engagement that we have, including wonderful political relationships.
“Culturally, we also have excellent cooperation. We have been having various groups from Nigeria going to India to participate in different exhibitions and cultural activities.
“We are very happy with all the facilities that are being extended to our Embassy.
“We are more than happy about it and would like to continue the relationship”. (NAN)