The original indigenes of the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called for special funding for the Territory to carter for its ever expanding population with the attendant developmental and social service needs. Traditional rulers and opinion leaders drawn from the six area councils of FCT made the call when they paid a visit to President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja even as they expressed their unwavering support for the President and the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed.
The Abuja indigenes whose address was read by the Ona of Abaji and the Chairman of FCT Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, said that the special funding is needed for steady implementation of critical projects in the FCT, such as mass transportation, health, education roads construction and expansion.
Of particular concern to them are the expansion of the ever busy Abuja – Nyanya – Keffi express road and the opening of alternate routes on that axis to ease perennial traffic gridlocks there.
They told the President that the extra funding would also be useful in fast tracking the development of FCT area councils and satellite towns to decongest the city centre and enhance living standard in the rural areas.
According to them, the FCT population is presently over five million, which is more than the population of some states in the country.
The indigenes who praised Dr. Jonathan as a listening and performing leader, also advocated greater funding of the Resettlement and Compensation programme as a way of giving a sense of belonging to them and putting them in proper position to contribute their quota to national development.
The delegation blamed the existence of places like Garki Village, Utako Village, Jabi Village and Guzape where the indigenes live in squalor without basic amenities as a result of neglect by previous administrations.
They expressed happiness that through programmes like Land Swap and other Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives of this administration, the knotty issue of Resettlement and Compensation is being addressed at the same time that the new districts are being opened.
The indigenes said they were aware of the various challenges facing the country, such as general insecurity, terrorism and threat of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), adding that they are also aware of the determined efforts of the present Administration to tackle and resolve the challenges.
They thanked President Jonathan for signing into law the FCT College of Education bill and the support he has been giving to the FCT Administration under the leadership of the Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed.
They also praised the Minister for his grassroot development man which he carried out with the indigenes as partners.
The indigenes called for the endorsement of the recommendations of the National Conference concerning the creation of an additional Senatorial seat and two more Federal Constituencies, two additional area councils, provision for a mayoral status for Abuja City and appointment of a Minister from the FCT, just like the other states of the Federation.
They appealed to the President to address some of these issues through discretionary action and lend his presidential support to others that are constitutional in nature.
Those present at the meeting include Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Ahmad Adamu Muazu, Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Philip Aduda, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Chukwu, Hon. Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo, Hon. Isah Ega Dobi, the Chairman of PDP in FCT, Alhaji Yunusa Suleiman and the State Secretary of the party, Mr. Bitrus Tanko Kura.
The royal fathers who were part of the delegation are Sarkin Karshi, Alhaji Ismaila D. Mohammed; Sa-Karuyi Karu, HRH Emmanuel Kyauta Yepwi; Sarkin Bwari, Alhaji Musa Ija-Koro; Aguma of Gwagwalada, Alhaji Mohammed Magaji; Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Haruna T. Jibrin; Etsu Kwali, HRH Shaban Nizazo; Etsu of Yaba, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu; Sa-Peyi of Garki, Alhaji Usman Nga Kupi; Agaba of Jiwa, Alhaji Idris Musa; Esu of Bwari, HRH Ibrahim Yaro; Agora of Zuba, Alhaji Mohammed Bello Umar; Sa-Rubochiyi of Rubochi, Alhaji Ibrahim M. Pada and the Agabe of Gawrgwada, Alhaji Hussaini Agabi Mam.
The chairmen of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji, Hon. Micah Jiba, Hon. Peter Yohanna Ushafa, Hon. Shaban Ishaku Tete, Hon. Ibrahim Daniel and Hon. Yahaya Garba Gawu respectively were also in attendance.
Others are the six Commissioners of federal parastatals and agencies; Engr. Danjuma Bussa (National Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission), Dr. Aliyu Baka (National Population Commission), Dr. Salihu Yunusa Zuba (Federal Character Commission), Alhaji Sokodobo Alhassan (Federal Civil Service Commission) and Elder Stephen Yepwi (National Sports Commission). [myad]
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