News
FCTA pays out N6.3b March statutory allocation to Area Councils, Stakeholders
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has paid out the sum of N6,316,621,045.37 to the six area councils and other stakeholders as statutory allocation for the month of March, 2024.
Special Adviser on Media To FCT Minister of State, Austine Elemue in a statement indicated that the March allocation is said to be 40 percent higher than the N3,938,092,102.92 paid out in the month of February, 2024.
According to the Statement the 188th Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), meeting was presided over by FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, who expressed satisfaction with the 40% increase.
She, urged the Area Council Authorities to carryout meaningful projects to justify the monthly allocation
“The allocation to the area councils as its stands today goes beyond payment of staff salaries. It is, therefore, expedient and instructive for the chairmen to carryout people orientated projects to justify the resources that goes to the councils”.
The break down analyses of the figures released during the JAAC meeting indicated that the sum of N3,814,043,951.50 was made available for disbursement to the six area councils, while the sum of N2,502,577,093.87 was made available to other stakeholders, bringing the total sum to N6,316,621,045.37.
Similarly, distributions to the six area councils shows that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), received N796,985,326.39, while Gwagwalada got N606,666,131.20 and Kuje received N635,903,823.41.
Other area councils which includede, Bwari Area Council received N598,406,880.71, Abaji got N564,901,838.77 while Kwali received N611,179,951.02, bringing the total sum to N3,814,043,951.50 disbursed to the six area councils.
On the other hand, distribution to other critical stakeholders included Primary School Teachers which gulped N2,115,855,089.92, 15 percent Pension Funds took N226,478,989.57, One percent Training Fund gulped N52,394,108.75, while 10 percent Employer Pension Contribution gulped N107,849,405.63, bringing the total sum to N2,502,577,093.87.
Those present at the 188th Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting included the Senior Special Assistant on Administration and Strategy to FCT Minister of State, Dr. Abdullahi Isa Kauramata, Mandate Secretary Area Council Services Secretariat, Hon. Bitrus Garki, Permanent Secretary, Area Council Services Secretariat, Dr. Olusa Olusegun, Ag. Director of Funds, Mr. Muhammed Aris, Commissioner FCT Revenue Mobilization Fiscal Allocation Commission, Hon. Ismail Ajaka and the representative of the Accountant General’s Office, Mr. Muhmud Nasiri.
Others included the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Christopher Maikalagun, Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar, Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Hon. John Gabaya and representatives of the chairmen of Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Council amongst others.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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