Minister rules out bail out for FCT LGs

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Mohammed Bello, has warned the newly inaugurated Chairmen of the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory that their tenure, may be the most challenging one, as government may no longer give bailout in the running of their affairs.

He, therefore, advised that the new Chairmen should henceforth think out of the box by finding ways of improving the revenue for the running of the Councils’ activities.

Bello made this known, at the inauguration ceremony of the newly-elected Area Councils Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

He stressed that the challenge had become necessary because of the lean economy of the country, with the price of items on increase on the daily bases.

His words: “The bitter truth is that all the six Area Councils cannot pay staff salaries and other obligations.”

According to him, “even though the FCT Administration has gone extra mile to assist the Area Councils, you are better off taking proactive measure to your various councils”.

Bello reminded the new chairmen that they made a lot of campaign promises and the people had a lot of expectation on them to deliver.

While admonishing the new Chairmen to be leader for all, irrespective of party affiliation, tribe or religious inclination, Bello enjoined them to lead with the utmost fear of God and the best interest of the people at all times.

“You are now for all, irrespective of party, religion, tribe, age or gender. So be humble in your leadership and appreciate the role played by all stakeholders towards your victory,” he added.

Bello urged the chairmen to ensure accountability and prudence in the management of their councils’ resources, adding “you must turn around the potentials of your Area Councils into wealth, by boosting revenue and blocking leakages, so that your Councils can be financially independent and you will be able to deliver the expected dividends of democracy”.

The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, commended the peaceful conduct of the elections in the FCT, pointing out that this attested to the fact that the people of the FCT were indeed peace-loving.

He thanked the out-going chairmen and all others in the Area Councils for ensuring a peaceful election and smooth transition process.

He urged the in-coming chairmen to be up and doing in keying into the Change Agenda of the Federal Government, especially as it related to delivering the dividends of democracy at the grassroots.

The chairman of Bwari Area Council, Mr. Musa Dikko, who responded on behalf of the new chairmen thanked the residents for giving them the mandate and promised to live up to their expectation.

The new Chairmen are Abdul_Rahman Ajiya-Abaji; APC,Abdullahi Adamu Candido-AMAC; APC,Musa Dikko-Bwari;APC, Adamu Mustapha Denze-Gwagwalada;APGA, Abdullahi Galadima- Kuje APC and Joseph Shazin-Kwali also of APC.