The committee says it is fully aware of its mandate, which includes focusing on the area councils to catch up with the rest of the federal capital in terms of development
The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils and Auxiliary Matters says it will prioritise resettlement schemes, agriculture, and development across the area councils.
The committee chairman, Agbedi Yeitiemone Fredrick (PDP, Bayelsa), disclosed this at the committee’s inauguration on Wednesday, December 6.
According to him, the committee will also focus on cultural festivals and issues particular to the indigenous of FCT.
Agbedi said improving the councils with FCT is a mandate that must be taken seriously.
“We are all components and must work together for the success of this committee and the betterment of the Federal Capital Territory Area Councils. Therefore, we shall pay attention to all the sectors under our mandate as it concerns the indigenes and residents, chieftaincy development in the Area Councils, improved revenue drive, inter-house sports in schools to identify and develop talents, and education and health development.
“ In all, as a committee, we shall take our oversight functions seriously to improve service delivery to the people,” he said.
Affirming the position of the chairman, the FCT minister of state, Mariam Mohammed, said area councils in the FCT are bedevilled by a myriad of issues that must be addressed swiftly.
She also assured that the FCT administration will collaborate with the committee to implement its responsibilities effectively.
“I am certain this committee will play a crucial role in addressing the diverse issues with the federal capital territory. The committee will oversight local governance, infrastructure, and development and addressing auxiliary issues that will impact the overall well-being of the territory.
“There are major challenges affecting councils within the FCT. The FCT administration will continue to support the committee members and ensure that hands are on deck for the growth of FCT councils,” she said.
According to a committee member, Joshua Obika (LP, Abuja), the Department of Resettlement and Compensation is redundant, and has failed to improve the lives of resettled persons in the area council.
“The department of resettlement is one of the most redundant departments so far, but I know that with the help of the chairman and committee members, this will get better,” he said.
Similarly, Hon Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) observed that satellite towns in the FCT have failed to catch up with the city’s development. He urged all committee members to be dedicated to the daunting task ahead.
“The FCT needs the attention of every legislator. The area councils are left behind, and they need to catch up with the development of the FCT. We have to do everything within our power to ensure it catches. We have a daunting task ahead of us. The FCT generates the second highest revenue in this country. Our area councils should be in better shape,” he said.
Meanwhile, N65.26 bn was allocated to the FCT administration in the 2024 appropriation bill.
Seventy-three percent of this sum, over N48.15 bn, was earmarked for the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project (multilateral/bilateral project tied loan).
Other projects captured in the FCT’s 2024 budget are the design and construction of the Nigeria Cultural Centre and Millennium Tower for N4.5bn; the design and construction of the Vice President’s Residence for N4bn; and the Rehabilitation of the Federal Secretariat for N3.5bn.
