Metro

FCTA defends resuscitation of On-street parking scheme

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has defended its decision to revamp it’s suspended On-street parking scheme, in order to swiftly tackle disturbing traffic congestion in Abuja.

Making this position known yesterday, the Director, Traffic Management, FCTA Transportation, Wadata Bodinga, who assured that all the legal issues that was an impediment have been resolved.

Bodinga noted that the new FCT parking Regulations 2019 has sufficiently made provisions for the scheme, scheduled to come into effect before the end of first quarter of this year.

He said the first phase of the exercise in its preliminary stage will be carried out in Maitama and Wuse areas of the Federal Capital City (FCC).

He explained that following the rapid population growth in Abuja, and its consequential traffic congestion, resuscitating the policy was necessary.

He added that the nation’s capital was faced with many traffic irregularities, posing grave dangers to residents, noting that the reintroduction of the scheme will mitigate.

According to him,” the present state of the FCT Traffic irregularities which pose a great hazard towards road users, the reintroduction of the On-street parking scheme by the administration will mitigate these challenges to the barest minimum.

“While On-street parking scheme may seem over bearing for some users, the scheme impact positively on the FCT residence on economic activities through improving customer experience and promoting efficient parking management system “.

It would be recalled that the controversy policy was in 2014 resisted by some residents, who allegedly decried the high handedness of operatives, and also queried the ownership of companies being used for ticketing and enforcement.

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello (right) in a handshake with the APC Presidential Candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu at the Yola International Airport following the APC Presidential rally in Adamawa State on Monday, 09/01/2023. Middle is Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, former governor of Zamfara State.

Kwali: Emulate qualities of late monarch- Minister urges leaders

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has urged political and community leaders of the area council to live up to the legacies of late Etsu of Kwali HRH Alh. Shaban Nizazo III, by emulating his exemplary leadership qualities.

Bello, described the late Monarch as a good leader who loved his people dearly and was passionate about the development of education and health care delivery.

The Minister said this when he paid a condolence visit to Kwali Area Council, to commiserate with the people over the passing of the late traditional leader who died on the 29th of December 2022, according to a statement from Director of Press, Office of the Hon. Minister, Anthony Ogunleye.

The statement read: “Received by the Ona of Abaji and traditional rulers from Kwali, Malam Bello who spoke in Hausa language said he had worked closely with the late Etsu who always gave him useful advise, one of which was that government officials should always be true to themselves and to God in all their actions and that they should take the issues of education and health care delivery very seriously. “The Minister recalled his last meeting with the late Etsu which was on Christmas day during the traditional FCT residents’ homage to President Muhammadu at the Presidential Villa.

“He also commended the Kwali Area Council Chairman and other community and religious leaders for the roles they have played in the funeral rites and other events following the death of the traditional ruler.

“Bello equally called on the people of the Area Council to work together and harness the natural resources which are abundant in Kwali for the benefit of the people”.

It added that speaking earlier, the Chairman of Kwali Area Council Hon. Danladi Chiya thanked the FCT Minister for the visit and revealed that the late Etsu had requested that upon his passing, his successor should be named as soon as possible.

He said that that the Area Council intends to honour the request of the late monarch.

He lamented that the people of Kwali had lost a great leader at a time when he was needed the most but also said no man could question the will of God.

He also commended the FCT Minister for his exemplary leadership in the management of the FCT.

Also speaking the Ona of Abaji HRH Adamu Baba Yunusa thanked the Minister for the visit and for the commendable efforts of the Secretary of the Area Council Services Secretariat , Hon. Ibrahim Abubakar Dantsoho in the days immediately following the passing of the Etsu and prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased.