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34 ABUJA REVIEW Xenophobic attacks: Indigenes warn S/Africa FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) indigenes have threatened to close down South African businesses operating in the nation’s capital as a reprisal for the Xenophobic attacks in that country. The group has given the South African Government 48 hours to apologise to Nigerians and other nationals of African countries for the wanton killings during the xenophobic attack. The group also demanded that concrete steps be taken by the South African authority to tackle the menace. The threat was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the FCT Residents Association meeting in collaboration with some traditional rulers in the territory, which was jointly signed by the Secretary-General of the Forum, Comrade Yunusa Yusuf and the Eze Igbo of Abuja, His Royal Highness (HRH) Ibe Nwosu and made available to reporters. The natives stressed that Africans must integrate as a continent to battle the xenophobic attack in South Africa. They said: “We pledge to remain our brother’s keeper irrespective of nations, tribes and tongues and we will continue to act as such within the limit of our laws and international conventions. “That there have been relentless attempts by the South African Government to undermine peace in the continent and replace it with a different ideology based on xenophobia. We are confident that the Federal Government of Nigeria will handle the situation in South Africa at the international level. “That we the host community of multi-nationals including South Africa business community, are not happy with the onslaught in South Africa on flimsy and baseless guise of xenophobia. “That, having studied the situation in South Africa vis-a-vis the trauma our brothers are subjected to in the past weeks, we have resolved to give the South African Authority Forty Eight (48) hour’s ultimatum to apologise to Nigerians and other nationals of other African countries for the wanton killings and destruction of property of other nationals resident in South ‘Having studied the situation in South Africa vis-a-vis the trauma our brothers are subjected to in the past weeks, we have resolved to give the South African Authority 48 hours to apologise to Nigerians and other nationals of other African countries for the wanton killings and destruction of property of other nationals resident in South Africa’ Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu Africa. “That failure to come up with permanent solution within the stipulated 48 hours ultimatum, drastic measures, including attacks on the business interests of South Africa in the Federal Capital Territory will be ruthlessly carried out as a reprisal to the ongoing xenophobia attacks. “That the business interests of South Africa operating in the Federal Capital Territory listed for attack include but not limited to Shoprite, DSTV, Barcelos, Pick ‘n’ Pay, Spar, Steer, MTN, Debonairs, Hungry Lion and Mr. Price, among others” The group regretted that despite that South Africa businesses operating in the FCT have continued to marginalise Abuja natives in area of employment, Abuja natives have allowed them to operate without intimidation from any quarters, stressing that the South African Government should forthwith demonstrate the spirit of brotherhood towards other nationals resident in South Africa or face the consequences.will be ruthlessly carried out as a reprisal to the ongoing xenophobia attacks •Garbage in the FCT •Chairman, Committee on Youth, House of Reps, Kamil Akinlabi (left); members, House of Reps, Bukunola Buraimo; Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology, Abiodun Akinlade and a member, Muniru Hakeem after a session at the National Assembly PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE RESIDENTS of Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the growing heaps of refuse and the inability of the council to evacuate them. The heaps of garbage at the front of the market along Kuje- Gwagwalada Road, General Hospital Junction and various dump grounds may lead to an outbreak of epidemic if urgent steps are not taken. Some residents who spoke with Abuja Review said the huge garbage heaps in their various communities have not been evacuated for a long time. Mrs. Blessing Gata, a resident of Sauka area behind the Gomo Palace said the garbage close to her house has not been evacuated for over a month. “I do not know why the area council authorities have not come to evacuate waste in this area for more than one month now. The huge garbage heap is breeding mosquitoes which make people victims of malaria. Now that the rains will start soon, it will be terrible. I am appealing with the Kuje Area Council to come and evacuate the refuse so that we can live a healthy life,” Gata said. Mr. Andrew David, who resides at Anguwan Gade Extension lamented the growing heaps of garbage which he said poses danger to healthy living. He, however, appealed to the relevant authorities in charge of evacuating waste in the area to take the necessary step in ensuring sanity in the area. “It has been a while I saw people evacuating waste in this area. We do not actually know what is happening. We are appealing to the authorities to come and evacuate the waste because it is malodorous. Reacting, the Kuje Head of Environmental Sanitation Department, Mr. Abdulkarim Abdulrazaq, said the waste evacuation exercise was no longer handled by area council, saying it is currently handled by the Satellite Town Development Authorities (STDA) and monitored by the •Continued from page 33 traffic lights now work. It is really commendable and I’m not bothered about how they waited until this time to do it. The important thing is that they have done something nice that is worth commending.” The Public Relations Officer (PRO) FCT Transport Secretariat, Mr. Ifeanyi Ughamadu, in a telephone chat with Abuja Review denied that the change was meant to please the incoming Buhari administration. “The administration recently changed from using the public power supply to powering the traffic light with solar panels. ýWhat is actually happening now is that all the traffic lights in Abuja are being changed to solar panels and we intend to finish soon. The development is a partnership with the Chinese and we have been working on it for a long time. It’s possible that residents are only noticing it now. If you look closely at places where you see traffic lights now, you will also see solar panels mounted on top of it. “We are not only repairing the old ones and changing them into the new solar-powered lights but we intend to extend the installation of traffic lights to Kubwa and Gwarimpaý. We intend to have 24- THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015 Residents worry over heaps of garbage ‘I do not know why the area council authorities have not come to evacuate waste in this area for more than one month now. The huge garbage heap is breeding mosquitoes which make people victims of malaria. Now that the rains will start soon, it will be terrible. I am appealing with the Kuje Area Council to come and evacuate the refuse so that we can live a healthy life’ department. He, however, called on residents of the area to stop the improper dumping of garbage by the road side. “The heap of garbage in some areas in the council results from improper disposal of refuse by some residents. “Despite the departments’ effort on evacuation and keeping the environment clean, some people have failed to comply with sanitation rules and regulations. “The council is also trying its best in terms of creating awareness on proper waste disposal but some residents have refused to do the right thing,” he said. On come the lights hour coverage now, unlike before where the traffic lights go off anytime that there is power outage. We realised that the solar powered light is much more reliable. “The decision on this was taken a long time ago and we began installing it a while back. Honestly, it does not have anything to do with the change of government. The changes had been in the pipeline for a long time and we even began the installations since last year. “FCT residents should expect more of ýconstant traffic lights working because all traffic lights would be streamlined towards solar which the country has in abundance. We will install and repair over 70 traffic light junctions in town and I do not know the exact number that will be installed in Gwarimpa and Kubwa but that will be happening very soon,” he said. Whether the changes are propelled by the fear of the new administration or according to the explanations of the PRO, it is a good development. The important thing still remains that the traffic light is making life of residents less stressful as there is free flow of traffic. Installation of traffic lights in Gwarimpa and Kubwa will also be great. Residents are optimistic that most malfunction facilities in the FCT will also be rehabilitated to ease life of the residents.
THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015 35 ABUJA REVIEW FCT inaugurates children’s home THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has inaugurated a children’s home cum transit camp for orphans, motherless babies and abandoned babies in Gwako community in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja. The administration said the home which is equipped with skills acquisition facilities, is capable of transforming the lives of the teeming youths and vulnerable children who roam the streets of Abuja as beggars or destitute. Minister of State for the FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide who inaugurated the homeý said FCT residents are yet to see the end of the current administration because it still has more to give to Nigerians. She added that even as the new government takes power, it should continue from where the present administration stopped and not allow all the laudable projects of the outgoing government to waste. She said: “The vision for a facility that will cater for the welfare of this vulnerable segment of our population, mainly orphans, motherless and abandoned babies, is in keeping with the transformation agenda of the outgoing administration. “The inauguration of this project therefore underscores the many positive projects which have been executed by this administration as it draws the curtain over an eventful tenure. “The home being inaugurated today is, indeed, only one of such projects and is designed to pass on the torch of positive legacy to the FCT residents and the incoming administration. “Governance is continuous. The FCTA remains grateful for your sacrifices and urges you to remain resolute and give the same loyalty and support to the incoming administration” Akinjide thanked residents for their support and partnership as they work together to improve the welfare of residents and to advance the fortunes of the territory; saying that the facility aims at alleviating the plight of children who, for no fault of theirs, found themselves on the unfortunate segment of our society. “It will serve as an educational as well as a skill acquisition centre for the home mates while benefiting the host community. We are certainly hopeful that it will give these children a solid start in life. “The quality of care given to our children irrespective of the circumstances of their birth, to a large extent, determines the value of their adulthood and by extension will impact on the future of our nation. “It is therefore for this reason that the home has been structured to provide an enabling environment for these vulnerable children to develop self-reliance and self-confidence and to be mentally adjusted to fit into the larger society in order to compete favourably with their peers in the future.” She, therefore, urged managers of the facility to ensure that the purpose of the home is fully realised. From Grace Obike In her speech, Special Guest of Honour and Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina, commended the FCTA for the “dynamic project” just as she called on wellmeaning Nigerians to support the project. She added that in other climes, citizens do not wait for government to provide everything for them. In her welcome address, Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Blessing Onuh, said the ceremony marked the completion of a project that is capable of transforming the lives of teeming youths and vulnerable children who roam the streets of the FCT as destitute and beggars. “This centre is meant to be a transit camp to cater for their immediate needs. The administration thought it wise to provide them with skills while they wait to be re-united with their families,” she said. She noted that it was at some point like a burden for this administration due to large influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) into the FCT but “we thank God for a successful completion of this project. We hope that we will raise our future entrepreneurs as we have provided various training facilities to meet up with the growing demand of global trend.” The inauguration, which was attended by Hajia Maina, Olajimoke and other government officials, was the brainchild of the Social Development Secretariat and funded by the FCT Administration. The project comprises six classrooms that can take at least 50 people each for theoretical learning; an administrative block, workshops in various skills ranging from fashion designing and tailoring, shoe making and design, hairdressing and salon technique, welding and wrought iron design and catering and confectionaries; 200-capacity multi-purpose hall and recreational facilities such as synthetic five aside football pitch and a volley ball court and hostel facilities that can accommodate about 1, 000 people. The hall, according to Onuh, can be utilised for several events ranging from business, workshops, conventions and reception, among others through which the centre can be self-sustained; as they intend to maintain it through internally-generated revenue. She called on individuals and organisations to partner with the Social Development Secretariat in achieving this objective. She, however, warned youths who roam the streets of the FCT that begging is prohibited in FCT. Onuh urged them to take advantage of the opportunity provided by government to improve their well-being. She also urged FCT residents not to encourage begging by giving alms to beggars on the street. “They should instead make such contributions to existing aid programmes carried out by our churches, mosques and the centre whenever they wish to support the welfare of these vulnerable groups,” she said. ‘The inauguration of this project therefore underscores the many positive projects which have been executed by this administration as it draws the curtain over an eventful tenure. The home being inaugurated today is, indeed, only one of such projects and is designed to pass on the torch of positive legacy to the FCT residents and the incoming administration… Governance is continuous. The FCTA remains grateful for your sacrifices and urges you to remain resolute and give the same loyalty and support to the incoming administration’ •From left: Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide; Minister of State for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Asabe Asmau Ahmed and Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe during the Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. •From left: Former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipire Sylva; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and Mrs Ibukun Odusote during the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee meeting at the Banquet Hall Presidential Villa in Abuja. PHOTOS: AKIN OLADOKUN •Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi (middle); Deputy Corps Marshal, Administration, Chidi Nwachukwu (left) and Deputy Corps Marshal, Operations, Adei Abu at the strategic session with 313 Commanding Officers in Abuja PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE ‘Give us good feeder roads’ RESIDENTS of Dutse Sokale in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the chairman of the council, Hon. Peter Yohanna to construct feeder roads in the community, in order to alleviate their suffering. Mr. Simon Chukwu, one of the residents who spoke with our reporter lamented that state of the roads in the community is unbearable, as most of the residents suffered immeasurably. According to Chukwu, residents of the community have made countless appeals to the leadership of the council to provide infrastructural development for the people in the community, but not much has been done in that regard, apart from the improved power supply. “We really need good feeder roads in this community, because, without it, life is unbearable. Car owners in this community repair their cars on weekly basis because of the bad roads and they have no choice, since they From Gbenga Omokhunu live in the community. “Whenever it rains, the entire community will be in mess, to the extent that you will not be able to identify where the road is or where the pits which gully erosion has constructed are. Now that the rain is about to start, we are afraid because of the challenges we will experience,” he said. Isah Ishiaku, a motorcycle operator in Dutse Sokale explained that due to the deplorable state of the roads in the community, most of them get scared to ply the roads when it rains, because they often fall off from their bikes with passengers. “The truth is that the best thing the chairman, Hon. Peter Yohanna can do for us now is for him to give us good roads in this community. If the roads are constructed, we will have peace of mind to carry our passengers to their destinations without fear of falling into the mud,” he said.
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