FCT minister reads riot act to scribes

The FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, gave the warning yesterday at the swearing in ceremony of the reconstituted FCT executive committee.

Mohammed warned that anyone who constituted a clog in the wheel of the administration and the successful realisation of its set objectives would be shown the way out of the system.

He said that the reason for the dissolution of the executive committee was the need to curb complacency and lethargy in the system through the injection of fresh blood and new ideas into the governance and administration of the FCT.

The minister noted that in reconstituting the executive committee, adequate care was taken to ensure that only people with relevant qualification, experience and know-how had been deployed to be in charge of mandate secretariats and other departments affected by the recent dissolution.

He reiterated the administration’s determination to run a pragmatic, result-oriented and focused administration, adding: “I must place on record our zero tolerance for corruption in all its ramifications. Misappropriation, misapplication or outright embezzlement of public funds entrusted will not be taken lightly as we will not hesitate to hand over offenders to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other relevant agencies for prosecution.”

He also charged the committee to ensure that budgeted funds count in their various secretaries, bearing in mind that they will be held responsible if their areas of jurisdiction failed to deliver results.

Responding on behalf of the executive committee members, Secretary, Legal Services Secretariat, Muhammed Alkali, thanked the FCT administration for finding them worthy of the task and pledged that they would do their best towards the development of the territory.

The reconstituted FCT Executive Committee include Precious Gbeneol, Health & Human Services; Muhammad Ma’aji Alkali, Legal Services Secretariat and Hussaini Halilu Pai for Education secretariat, while Olusegun Awolowo formerly of the Transportation Secretariat has been redeployed to the Area Council Services Secretariat.

Others are Hamza Adamu Buwai, Agriculture & Rural Development, Blessing Onyeche Onuh for Social Development Secretariat and Ivoke Jonathan Achara, Transportation; secretariat while Fatima Bintu Shettima is the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council.