Abuja Reports

Wike Again! Orders Demolition of Settlements Along Abuja Rail Corridor

Published

4 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

The Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) Special Ministerial Task Team has demolished illegal settlements behind National Park and National Military Cemetery, along Airport Road, Abuja.

The settlement, named Ruga, was demolished while hundreds of shanties, made from sacks, planks and scrap roofing sheets along the rail corridor were destroyed and set ablaze.

The task team named “Operation Sweep” is being headed by the Commissioner of Police in FCT, Olatunji Disu, and was directed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, to clean the city of all forms of nuisances and criminality.

FCT Director, Security Service Department, Adamu Gwari, after the operation in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the Ruga settlement was characterised by shanties and other illegal structures built on peoples’ plots of land.

Mr Gwari, who was represented by Peter Olumuji, Secretary, FCT Command and Control Centre, pointed out that illegal structures harbour all kinds of criminal elements.

He said that the site was close to the rail corridor, adding that their occupation of the area could pose security threats to residents using the Abuja Metro Line.

“You know we have had incidents of the rail tracks being vandalised. As such, demolishing the illegal structures would improve security on the rail corridor, ” he said.

On measures to ensure the illegal occupants do not return to the site, the director said that Mr Wike had already warned plot owners to develop them or the FCT Administration would revoke the allocations.

“Most of the plot owners have complained overtime, that they could not access the plots because of these shanties and criminal elements residing here.

“Some of them have tried to take over their plots, but were attacked by the illegal occupants.

“Today, the FCTA has cleared the area and so, we advised them to immediately take possession of their plots of land and begin development,” he said.

Reacting to the development, one of the dislodged settlers, Ibrahim Yusuf, said they have nowhere to go, adding that housing in the FCT was beyond their reach.

Mr Yusuf, who described himself as the Secretary of the community, said that they have been living in the community for more than 20 years.

He added that the community had been demolished more than 20 times, but they always returned and rebuilt.

“What they kept telling us is ‘you people are living in an illegal area, so leave the place’, but we have nowhere else to go, and we are not ready to leave Abuja.

“We are, therefore, appealing to the FCTA to resettle us. Whatever conditions the administration will give us, we are ready,” he said.

(NAN)

Abuja Reports

FCT Teachers Strike Over Unpaid Wages, Disrupt Exams

Published

11 hours ago

December 2, 2024

Samson Adeyanju

By Alexis Uchendu

Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have embarked on a fresh strike over unpaid wages, halting first-term examinations just three days before their conclusion.

The strike stems from the area councils’ failure to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage, leaving pupils stranded as schools were shut on Monday.

This latest disruption follows a three-week strike earlier in the term, further destabilizing the academic calendar.

Comrade Ameh Baba, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), in the Kubwa chapter, stated that the action was necessitated by the councils’ non-compliance with the ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which took effect on December 1.

“The area council chairmen have refused to pay arrears and implement the new wage. We have no option but to comply with the NLC directive,” Baba said.

Although FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had approved the ₦70,000 wage, with November salaries expected to reflect the increase, teachers under the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), are yet to benefit.

Baba also revealed that teachers are owed a ₦40,000 peculiar allowance and a ₦35,000 wage award for over a year.

He emphasized that the strike would persist until all outstanding payments were made and the councils complied fully with the minimum wage implementation.

This strike adds to a growing list of challenges facing education in the FCT, raising concerns over its long-term impact on pupils’ learning and academic progress.

Abuja Reports

Creditors Demand ₦12B Salary Deductions from FG

Published

11 hours ago

December 2, 2024

Samson Adeyanju

By Alexis Uchendu

The Humanity Development and Empowerment Organisation (HDEO), a coalition of money lenders, has urged the Federal Government to remit ₦12 billion in loans deducted from civil servants’ salaries but not credited to creditors.

Speaking at a leadership handover ceremony in Abuja, outgoing National President Osita Nebolisa decried the situation, noting that while the funds were deducted through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), they remain unremitted.

He called on the new executives, led by National President Dele Apanisile, to address the issue with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

“The non-remittance of these deductions has caused severe economic hardship for both lenders and workers.

“It is crucial for the incoming leadership to recover these funds and rectify the flaws in the IPPIS deduction system,” Nebolisa said.

Highlighting his tenure’s achievements from 2022 to 2024, Nebolisa cited the issuance of over ₦6.2 billion in loans to more than 2,400 federal civil servants and the signing of a Service Level Agreement with the Accountant General’s Office to ensure equitable access to credit.

The newly inaugurated executives vowed to prioritize the ₦12 billion remittance challenge while building on HDEO’s efforts to promote fair lending practices and financial inclusion.

HDEO includes commercial banks, microfinance banks, and other financial institutions, working collaboratively to support Nigerian workers and enhance the country’s credit ecosystem.

Abuja Reports

Countdown to Excellence: ACJ National Essay Competition Set to Thrill Abuja

Published

11 hours ago

December 2, 2024

ADMIN

By Our Correspondent

The stage is set for one of Nigeria’s most anticipated intellectual events of the year; the ACJ National Essay Competition, happening in just seven days at the prestigious Musa Yar’Adua Event Centre, Abuja.

Organized by the renowned Abuja City Journal (ACJ), an Abuja-based online platform and monthly magazine publication owned by Mr Ojo Sylvanus Foluso, the competition is already sparking excitement among participants and observers.

Designed to promote education and intellectual growth among young Nigerians, the initiative promises an enriching experience for all involved.

In a commendable show of support, ACJ has extended an open call to corporate giants like Unilever, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nestlé, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia Foundation, and First Bank to sponsor this impactful event.

Such partnerships could amplify the competition’s reach and ensure its sustainability in fostering creativity and critical thinking in the nation’s youth.

The ACJ National Essay Competition is more than a contest; it’s a celebration of ideas, innovation, and the boundless potential of young Nigerians.

With the countdown now officially underway, all eyes turn to Abuja for a showcase of talent, intellect, and the spirit of excellence.