Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has listed the dangers in leaders swearing with Holy Books to serve the people in their capacities only for them to be doing other things that are contrary to the oath taken.
Swearing the six Area Council Chairmen of the FCT and their deputies after their elections recently, Muhammad Musa Bello said: “I urge you all to go back to your houses, carefully read and understand what you swore, because all of you, I noticed, held the holy books while you were doing so.
“These words that you uttered today, holding the holy books and also in the presence of all of us as witnesses and above all in the presence of God Almighty, are not simple words.”
The minister asked the elected leaders to limit themselves to simple things they will do to impact on the people, such as provision of water, education, primary healthcare and sanitation.
“If I were you, I will go for the basics. I will tackle primary education, I will tackle primary healthcare, I will tackle sanitation, I will tackle insecurity.
“And whoever you are, you can’t do anything on the security of your community unless you relate with your elders in the country. So, hold on to these three or four items diligently and understand that you are local government authority and you are meant to provide local services.
“During your tenure, don’t ever allow one day to pass with your pupils out of school because somebody is on strike… Don’t ever allow a primary healthcare in your Area Council to be without water, to be without electricity, to be without staff, so that that woman who is pregnant, or that little boy who has diarrhea or that young girl that has malaria is taken care of. I tell you, if you handle these little things that you may think are small, your people will forever be grateful to you”.
He also enjoined the new Chairmen and Vice Chairmen to take time to go round their Area Councils with a view to familiarizing themselves with the various environmental challenges such as blocked drainages, waste and unkept streets.
He assured the newly inaugurated Chairmen of the continuous support of the FCT Administration while also charging residents to always hold those in authority accountable for what they swore to do.
The new Chairmen are Christopher Zakka Maikalangu of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), John S. Gabaya of Bwari, Danladi Chiya of Kwali, Abubakar Umar Abdullahi of Abaji, Abdullahi Sulaiman Sabo of Kuje and Abubakar Jibrin Giri of Gwagwalada.
