FCT Minister sacks AEPB mgt staff

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has set up a financial recovery committee to probe the contracts awarded by the former Baba Shehu Lawan-led Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), who has been replaced by his assistant, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Omolla Olanipekun.

In a press statement issued by the Chief Secretary, Sule Hazat Mohammed, the Minister has also approved the immediate removal of all Heads of Department, as well as Heads of Unit under the Board and directed their deputies to immediately take charge.

Bello directed the Director of the FCT Establishment and Training, who was also a part of the meeting, to issue the new appointees with their appointment letters.

Bello warned that lackadaisical attitudes to work must be stopped forthwith as Abuja must be rid of filth, street beggars, street hawkers and all other environmental irritations, immediately.

The Minister remarked that a lot of things were not going on well at the Board, and further warned the new team to work to change the tide, fast.

He said that the former Director and his management team should ensure that all handing over processes were completed by May 27, 2016.

Meanwhile, the Minister has also directed that the former management team of the Board be constituted into a Special Task Force on the Recovery of N9.8 billion debt owed AEPB.

Bello instructed that the new Task Force be headed by the former Director of the Board and was given eight weeks to do the recovery into FCT Administration’s coffers.

At the meeting, the Minister also approved the appointment of Squadron Leader Abdullahi Adamu Monjel (retired) to head a special team of 200 security personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to assist in the enforcement of environmental laws in Abuja.

The Minister was however quick to warn the new management and special team to conduct their duties within the ambit of the law.