By Tanimu Muhammad
Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT), Muhammad Musa Bello has charged political and community leaders in the FCT to cooperate with the Administration for the overall development of the Territory.
The Minister stated this during the visit by FCT political and community leaders led by Senator Philip Aduda, in the wake of the removal of illegal structures at Apo Akpajenya and Dagbalo in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Bello who reiterated the importance of cooperation between the political and community leaders and the FCT administration, said that there was the need for constant communication between the Administration and community leaders.
In the words, “dialogue and sensitization, community engagement of traditional, religious, indigenous communities as well as the Area Council political leadership and overall information dissemination are solutions to community issues.”
He continued, “I assure you as advised, the relevant Departments will make sure that what happened doesn’t happen in the way it happened” He said that this particular case was inherited and that demolition was always the very last resort.
The Minister however called on his guests not to shy away from reality as there were a number of pending projects that will require the cooperation of the communities to ensure success and the overall development of the FCT.
The Minister said that he was an advocate of community integration and urban renewal where urban development is implemented around indigenous communities, but this will require the cooperation of those communities.
He decried situations where community heads are refusing to cooperate with the Administration for the development of certain areas within the FCT.
He also reminded the leaders that the development of towns and cities take years and could not be accomplished within short a period of time.
He further encouraged community leaders who had been relocated and resettled to move to the new locations as this will encourage the community members to follow suit, adding that, community heads should show leadership and lead by example.
Speaking earlier, Senator Philip Aduda said that the delegation was in the FCTA to register concern over the removal of illegal structures in the affected communities within the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
He said that in future , before such exercises are carried out, enough notice and time should be given to the affected communities to forestall any hardship.