Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has cried out over what he called obsolete laws that have made the administration of the capital city difficult.
The Minister, who spoke on Tuesday when the Acting Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission visited him in his office, emphasized that most of the laws in the FCT have become obsolete, thereby making the running of the Abuja city centre very difficult.
He therefore stressed the need for the review of such laws to make it easy to manage the influx of people into the Territory.
The Minister frowned at a situation where law breakers in the FCT are for instance, given N2,000 option of fine which can easily be paid on the spot, adding that the development and growth of Abuja ought to be matched with vibrant laws that are stringent enough to deter offenders.
“The penalty in FCT laws are not in tandem with the reality of our time and therefore not serving as deterrent as it is supposed to be.”
The Minister said that Abuja is the only city in the federation that is a product of law and should be well guided by the law to function well.
Muhammad Bello commended the efforts of the Commission, saying: “FCT Administration values and will support any institution that adds value to the well-being of the society.”
Speaking earlier, the Acting Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reforms Commission, Mr. Kefas Musa Magaji stressed the need for review of every law every ten years to conform with the reality on the ground, saying that there is no way the society will move forward if the laws are stagnant.
He recalled that the Commission last reviewed the FCT laws in 2006 and that such laws are due for further re-evaluation to conform with the time.
Meanwhile, the minister has warned the new Governing Board of the FCT National Youth Service Corps to shun corruption and mismanagement in the running of the affairs of the Board or face the full wrath of the law.
The Minister who inaugurated the Governing Board of FCT NYSC and presentation of awards to 2011-2013 batches of outstanding corps members in Abuja on Tuesday, enjoined the new board members to be prudent in the management of NYSC resources to ensure that that the precious funds made available to the NYSC by the government are judiciously deployed only for the good of the corps members.
The Minister who was represented at the occasion by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye presented award certificates to 76 corps members who had excelled in their primary assignment between 2011 and 2013 service years.
The awardees received different cash prizes depending on the categories of their awards and performances, namely: Category A- Certificate of Merit & N200,000; and Category B – Certificate of Merit & N100,000 each. [myad]
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