FCT minister tasks area council chairmen on development

THE Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, has tasked area council chairmen of the FCT on good governance and the need to deliver dividends of democracy to the electorate.

The minister spoke when a delegation of elected officials of the FCT led by Senator Phillip Aduda paid a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.

He noted that the level of responsibility bestowed on them as elected representatives  of the people was enormous.

“It is only in the FCT that nobody touches your resources.

“Allocations are made as and when due as approved by law. So really, no area council chairman can complain of being hindered from doing his job,” he said.

He said that the present administration would place emphasis on development in the areas of health, education, security and infrastructure.

The minister reminded the chairmen that primary education, primary health care and basic sanitation are within their purview, adding that these are “low hanging fruits” that could be properly tackled with more of good governance than politicking.

Bello expressed dismay at the level of uncleanliness in most satellite towns, urging them to make the satellite towns centres of excellence.

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He particularly frowned on  the median of the market road in Gwagwalada, the entrance to the cemeteries in Karu  and the grass on the median along the train station in Bwari, describing them as eyesore and an embarrassment.

He told them that the time for governance had commenced as campaigns had long ended and  urged them to mobilise their people to engage in community service by cleaning up the environment.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation had commended the minister on his achievements during his first tenure in office and pledged the cooperation and support of all the elected officials of the FCT.

In her remarks, the Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, called for cooperation between the elected officials and the FCT administration and pledged to work hard to ensure that residents of the territory get the full dividends of democracy.