The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has launched attacks on beggars, prostitutes and drug addicts parading the territory.
He sought for the collaboration of the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to wage the battle against these categories of residents that have given the city a bad reputation.
The Minister who received briefing from the FCT Social Development Secretariat at the Banquet Hall, Minister’s Official residence, Gwarinpa I District, (Life-Camp), Abuja today tasked the Secretariat to brainstorm and find the best ways of rehabilitating some of the addicts.
He said that social issues must be approached with the seriousness it deserves as one social problem could have multiplier negative effects on the society.
“You all have enormous responsibilities with serious financial challenges which desires proactive steps to effectively tackle them. You also have to brainstorm on how to efficiently tackle the knotty problems of street beggars, commercial sex workers as well as street hawking.”
The Minister lamented the rampant abuse of Master Plan of the FCT which has led to taken over of plots that were earmarked for sporting facilities in the neighbourhoods, saying that something urgent must be done about it.
Malam Bello advised the Secretariat to work as a team to generate database for tourism facilities as such facilities would not only provide areas of recreation and sight seeing in and around Abuja, but would equally serve as avenues of generating funds to the government.
Also speaking during the briefing, the FCT Permanent Secretariat, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye asked Directors of the Secretariat to take drastic measures as the professionals they are, to think outside the box to move the Secretariat to enviable heights.
He asked them to deliver quality services that would positively impact on the lives of the residents of the Territory.
The Acting Secretary of Social Development Secretariat, Alhaji Salisu Kallamu said that there are 17 Orphanages in the Federal Capital Territory with one being directly managed by the Secretariat.
Meanwhile, the Minister also received briefings from the management of the FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat where he advised the Secretariat repositioned by keying into the policy of the Federal Government which, promotes agriculture and mass food production for the populace.
Malam Muhammed Bello assured the management of his Administration’s resolve to help them achieve the goals of the Federal Government in that sub-sector.
He encouraged them to go into partnership with the Area Councils in order to carry the people along in all their programmes.
The Minister promised that the FCT Administration would soon pay N113 million being counterpart-fund for Fadama III in order to allow FCTA access more facilities in the programme. [myad]
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