ABUJA – The newly elected Chairmen of the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory have been warned to shun any act of corruption or face the consequences.
FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello gave this warning Wednesday while declaring open an induction course for the newly elected Area Council Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councilors at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Malam Bello who was represented at the event by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye insisted that the anti-corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led Administration is serious because it has gone beyond lip service.
The Minister said that President Buhari has taken a wholistic approach to confront corruption in all its ramifications in order to save Nigeria’s image and economy.
While recalling President Buhari’s inaugural speech that says, “people have nothing to fear, but the consequence of their actions;” he said this is a clear indication that the present Administration would ensure that no action or inaction that negates the current war against corruption goes unpunished.
Malam Bello therefore urged the new councils’ officials to imbibe the tenets of Mr. President’s Change Agenda anchored on prudent management of public resources, transparency and accountability as well as diversification of sources of revenue and efficient service delivery to the residents within their domain.
According to him, the FCT Administration organized the induction course in order to properly acquaint them with knowledge and skills that are necessary to lead their councils in this era of dwindling revenue from the Federal Government and the ideals of Change Agenda of the present Administration under President Muhammadu Buahri.
Malam Bello enjoined them to build synergy in the FCT Administration’s efforts to meet the infrastructural and public utilities need of the residents.
He explained that the workshop is aimed at assisting the new councils’ officials to effectively drive the goals of the FCT Administration especially environmental sanitation.
The Minister noted that as council officials, their primary responsibility is to ensure that they clean their environment and properly dispose of refuse in their respective councils.
While addressing the participants, the lead resource person, Dr. Abdul-Hamidu Abdullahi of the Department of Local Government & Development Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria said the induction course will prepare them for people oriented leadership.
The newly elected chairmen of the Area Councils who are expected to be sworn-in tomorrow (Friday) by 10am are Abdul_Rahman Ajiya-Abaji; Abdullahi Adamu Candido-AMAC; Musa Dikko-Bwari; Adamu Mustapha Denze-Gwagwalada; Abdullahi Galadima- Kuje and Joseph Shazin-Kwali.
