AMAC: Periscoping Maikalangu’s one year in office

Since formally assuming office on June 14, last year, the chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has faced the challenge of delivering basic amenities to residents, including revenue leakages, poor allocations, debts left behind by previous administrations, among others. PAUL OKAH in this report assesses the chairman’s scorecard.

The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, was elected on February 12, 2022, but formally assumed office in June, following prolonged legal tussles against his emergence by opponents, who were either kicking against his candidacy or seeking tenure elongation for his predecessor.

On Saturday, October 1, 2022, the FCT Area Council Election Appeal Tribunal upheld Maikalangu’s election, dismissing the August 5 judgment of the FCT Area Council Election Tribunal, which had declared Hon. Murtala Usman Karshi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election; thereby paving way for Maikalangu to settle down to the business of governance.

One year into the saddle as AMAC Chairman, Maikalangu has said his policy direction is to develop AMAC through delivering dividends of democracy to residents “as promised during the campaigns that preceded his election.”

Nevertheless, like his predecessors, the chairman has faced challenges of revenue generation as there are many illegal revenue collectors claiming to be representing the council, apart from perennial and infamous faceoff with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in the collection of revenue from business operators within the council.

Recent projects

Investigations by Blueprint Weekend revealed that Maikalangu, upon assuming office, embarked on road construction, provision of basic healthcare, rural electrification, construction schools and provision of potable water; to ensure that no community is left behind in the provision of basic amenities.

Maikalangu, within one year in office, has embarked on and completed some projects that will make life comfortable to AMAC residents in rural communities and even in the cosmopolitan city.

Investigations by Blueprint Weekend revealed that, with regards to building projects, Maikalangu has facilitated the construction of one block of 3 classrooms with Headmasters office with Toilet at Madalla community, the construction of one block of 3 classrooms with Headmasters office with Toilet at Iddo Sabo community, the fencing of Gbesa Primary Health Center and the construction of Primary Health Centre at Pyakasa community.

With regards to road projects, Maikalangu has facilitated the rehabilitation of Wumba Township Road, rehabilitation of Iddo Sarki access road, rehabilitation of Mondic Road in Gwagwa.

As of the time of filing this report, Maikalangu has facilitated ongoing road construction in Karmo Idu Gbagyi Phase 1, Idu Gbagyi Phase 2 community and Damagaza community.

He also promised to commence road project in Jikwoyi Phase 1 and Phase 2, apart from ongoing road projects at Orozo,  among other communities.

Also, with regards to water projects, Maikalangu has facilitated the construction of Comprehensive Solar Community Borehole at Damgma, construction of Comprehensive Solar Community Borehole at Kokoipo, construction of Comprehensive Solar Community Borehole at Angwa Gade in Jikwoyi, construction of Comprehensive Community Borehole at Angwa Gbagyi in Karshi and the construction of Comprehensive Motorized Community Borehole at Area C in Nyanya.

With regards to electrification projects, Maikalangu has ensured the supply and installation of Transformer at Toge Community, rural Electrification at Tatajiya Community and rural Electrification at Hulumi Community.

Since he is not one to grumble or abandon meaningful projects started by his predecessors, since government is a continuum, Maikalangu also commissioned a 500kva transformer in Gyadna village, Jiwa ward, which was started by his predecessor, thereby ensuring that the community saw light for the first time in over 100 years of existence.

Payment of over 50 contractors

In July, 2022, Maikalangu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to pay all outstanding liabilities owed to contractors who had so far completed various contracts awarded by the immediate past administration of the council.

While addressing aggrieved contractors, who were yet to be paid for jobs executed for the past administration, Maikalangu, who appealed to the contractors to exercise patience, revealed that, despite the challenges of funding, the administration had paid one month salary owed by the immediate past administration.

The Chairman, who hinged the delay in payments to dwindling internally generated revenue and expected funds from the federal government, also expressed optimism that the contractors would be paid as soon as possible. 

While thanking the Chairman on his promises to offset the debt owned by the previous administration, Engr. Bello Shafiw, the Managing Director of Christal Love and Tina Nigeria Ltd, said the audience given by the new council Chairman was a huge step in the right direction.

N2.8m sports items for UniAbuja

Furthermore, on March 27, Maikalangu led a delegation of AMAC staff to a courtesy visit on the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), revealing he desires to collaborate with the citadel of learning in sports development.

Maikalangu urged the Vice Chancellor, Abdul-Raheed N’Allah, to consider more admission opportunities for AMAC indigenes.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Abdul-Raheed N’Allah, who was represented by the Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Gabriel Moti, said that he was elated to receive such a good gesture from the AMAC Chairman.

Distribution of motorcycles, agro-chemical products to farmers

Also, on Tuesday, March 28, Maikalangu flagged off the 2023 farming season in the council, with the title “Agricultural Revolution Starts Now”.

Speaking at the event, Maikalangu said the flag off is a gentle reminder for all citizens of the council to embrace farming as a lasting solutions to end food scarcity in the entire council.

The council boss added that the distribution of items also shows his administration’s commitment to meeting with his campaign promises of reducing the biting hardships experienced by AMAC residents, especially at the rural communities.

Highlight of the event was the distribution of two BM 100 motorcycles to inspection workers.

Inauguration of revenue taskforce

Investigations by Blueprint Weekend reveal that the greatest headache of Maikalangu is how to harmonise revenue generation in the council, which had been neglected by previous administration, paving way to the avalanche of fake revenue agents.

However, to combat the challenge of revenue leakages, on April 4, Maikalangu, inaugurated a taskforce for revenue monitoring, inspection and enforcement in the council, charging members of the taskforce to ensure there is no double taxation of residents and to also work within the ambits of the law.

While appreciating the Chairman for the inauguration, Mr Yunusa Ahmadu Yusuf, the Taskforce Chairman, revealed that the taskforce has been empowered and will record success within months, reiterating that any business person who pays money to fake revenue collectors on behalf of AMAC will pay double.

AMAC taskforce arrests 13 illegal revenue collectors

Two weeks later, on April 19, to repay the good faith reposed in them by Maikalangu, the AMAC taskforce for revenue monitoring, inspection and enforcement, which was inaugurated on April 4, arrested 13 illegal revenue collectors.

The 13 suspects, mostly youths between 25 to 40 years, were arrested in different parts of the council on Wednesday, during a sting operation led by the Chairman of the taskforce, Mr Yunusa Ahmadu Yusuf.

While parading the suspects before newsmen at the AMAC secretariat, Chairman of the taskforce, Mr Yunusa Ahmadu Yusuf, warned AMAC residents to desist from paying revenue to illegal collectors parading as AMAC representatives.

He reiterated that anyone who pays cash or money into any account other than that of AMAC will pay double to the appropriate account whenever the taskforce comes for monitoring.

He said that consultants working for AMAC always receive percentage of their payment as agreed with the council, adding that on no account should any business operator in AMAC pay a consultant on behalf of AMAC.

Medical outreach in Kurudu, Lugbe

On April 13, speaking at the flag off of free medical services outreach programme in Kurudu, a suburb of the council, Maikalangu, who was represented by his vice, Hon. Nasiru Umar Usman, said that it is part of the dividends of democracy he promised AMAC residents during the campaigns last year.

He also implored civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations to replicate the gesture by bringing initiative to every village and community in AMAC.

Also speaking, Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Board (FCTPHCB), Dr Isa Vatsa, said that primary Healthcare remains an integral part of national development, saying that the AMAC Chairman should be emulated.

In his goodwill message, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Abdulhakeem Abdulkareem, said that health is paramount in whatever we do as humans, even as he expressed gratitude to the AMAC Chairman for bringing healthcare to the grassroots, where it is paramount.

Similarly, the District Head of Kurudu, HRH Ezra Gomna, said that the outreach is the first of its kind, even as he implored AMAC Chairman to always remember the community when it comes to democratic dividends.

Highlights of the event included provision of free medical healthcare to over 1,000 children and women of the community, including immunization, COVID-19 vaccination, free malaria testing and meditation, HIV testing and counseling, family planning, eye screening and other medical services rendered by medical doctors and nurses.

The Vice Chairman of the council and other officials also had their vital signs taken and medical advice given by the medical doctors and nurses on duty.

Similarly, on June 1, Maikalangu took the free medical outreach to Lugbe, saying his administration will ensure the welfare of residents, especially with regards to provision of basic healthcare.

Speaking during the medical outreach at the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Lugbe, Maikalangu, who was represented by the Supervisory Councillor for Health, Hon Faoye Tunji Toye, implored residents to take advantage of the free medical outreach to carry out different tests, including sugar level, blood pressure, eye test, family planning, among others.

Maikalangu said that the outreach will also be carried out in other parts of the council as the wellbeing of residents is one of the priorities of his administration, even as he said that medical professionals will always be on ground to provide medical advice to the residents.

While showing appreciation for the medical outreach, the District Head of Lugbe, HRH Salihu Gode, said that the medical outreach was the first of its kind, even as he profusely thanked the Chairman for the sense of belonging given to them.

Maikalangu seeks partnership to end malaria

Earlier on April 26, speaking during the 2023 World Malaria Day Commemoration by the FCT Public Health Department at the Primary Health Center, Gidan Mangoro in Orozo ward, with the theme “Ending Malaria in the Federal Capital”, Maikalangu said effort of relevant stakeholders will ensure the eradication of malaria in AMAC and the FCT.

Maikalangu said that the fight against malaria scourge will not be possible without collaborative effort by FCTA and other stakeholders and global solidarity to harness the efforts and resources needed to address malaria in an effective, sustainable and accountable manner.

Revitalisation of LEA primary schools

In a bid to ensure stability and excellent performance in LEA Primary Schools within AMAC, on April 18, Maikalangu inaugurated a 6-man steering committee to assess the programmes, progress, prospects and challenges of LEA Primary Schools in AMAC.

Speaking at the inauguration Maikalangu urged members of the committee to do everything within their powers to come up with viable options to bring LEA Primary Schools to enviable level.

He told the committee to visit all the primary schools in the Council with a view to review and evaluate their educational performance and ascertain the healthy situation of their facilities.

Maikalangu charged the committee members to ensure that each primary school in the council provide her pupils with standard curriculum that is generally accepted and oversee the financial performance of the schools and make sure they are optimally used to address issues in the school.

Residents speak

Expectedly, Maikalangu’s giant strides in the provision of basic amenities to AMAC residents have not gone unnoticed as residents are full of praises and good wishes for the chairman for remembering them in delivering democratic dividends.

Residents of Damgma and Wupa communities in Jiwa and Gwagwa wards of AMAC told Blueprint Weekend that the Maikalangu-led administration has entrenched good governance through the execution of pro-people projects in various communities of the Council.

The Village Head of Damgma Community, Chief Ayuba Sunday, during the commissioning of the constructed solar powered borehole with over five station points in the community, told Blueprint Weekend that the community has never seen a chairman so closer to his people in rural projects provision such as Maikalangu.

He added that the provision of water is very essential facility that will save members of the community from water related diseases.

“We have waited for the provision of borehole in this community for decades all to no avail. Past chairmen will come and campaign in this community after promising us and getting our votes, they will disappear. However, God has brought Maikalangu to our rescue as he promised and fulfilled his promises within a short time. We thank him and pray that almighty God will protect him, guide him and grant him all the necessary wisdom to lead us,” he said.

Also speaking with Blueprint Weekend, a resident of Wupa community, Mr Uzor Daniel, said that Maikalangu has proven his capability by providing the community with rural electricity, adding that businesses in the community will boom as both indigenes and non-indigenes will experience power supply for the first time.

“We have all decided to give him every support he needs now. We are very thankful and excited. This is what government is all about; providing the needs of the people and bringing government very closer to the people at the rural areas level,” he said.

Also, while appreciating the AMAC Chairman for commissioning a 500kva transformer project in Gyadna village, Jiwa ward, the District Head of Sakada, Isyaku Sarki Musa, told Blueprint Weekend that the commissioning of the electricity project is the first of its kind as the community has lacked government presence for time immemorial.

He said: “I lack words to appreciate the Executive Chairman of AMAC for this magnanimity of ensuring we enjoy power supply like other communities. Though this electricity project was started by the past administration, it was not functional until the intervention of Maikalangu.

“We are grateful and look forward to more projects. We lack good roads, potable water, healthcare facilities and other basic amenities. We are facing many challenges as a community. Therefore, this intervention by the Executive Chairman of AMAC is roundly appreciated. As he promised, we know he will deliver on all projects to give us a sense of belonging.”

Expect more projects- Maikalangu’s aide

Speaking with Blueprint Weekend, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to the AMAC Chairman, Hon. Kingsley Madaki, said that, though the council faces the challenge of revenue leakages, the chairman is poised to do his best in delivering dividends of democracy to AMAC residents who voted him into office on February 12, 2022.

He said: “As you are aware, the greatest challenge facing the council is that of revenue leakages and poor allocation. It is no longer news that AMAC has been facing off with FCTA with regards to revenue collection. There are too many illegal revenue collectors operating in AMAC, but we are doing our best to salvage the situation through the taskforce set up by the Executive Chairman, of which I am a member. We have been arresting and prosecuting suspects to stem the tide.

“There is no gainsaying that, barely a year in office, Maikalangu has made giant strides in the provision of democratic dividends to residents of the council across different communities that were hitherto forgotten by previous administrations. Despite the outpour of commendations, Maikalangu is poised to ensure that no community is left behind in his development agenda.

“As he celebrates one year in office, there is no doubt that more projects are already in the pipeline for the Chairman to show that he believes in action more than words as he tries to appreciate the thousands of residents who voted him into office on February 12, 2022.”

 Chairman speaks

On Sunday, June 2, speaking during a church service at ECWA Apo Resettlement, Hon. Maikalangu charged residents of the council to pray for unity, peace and prosperity in the midst of socio economic challenges.

The Executive Chairman admonished the residents to pray for leaders in authority for God to grant them understanding, wisdom, protection and success in the affairs of governance.

He said: “I thank God for His faithfulness and grace. Today, my administration has clocked one year in office and we could not have succeeded if not by His mercy and divine grace.

“I am someone that likes to put my trust in God to lead me all through my life. God has been faithful to me and I owe Him all the glory for all I have achieved in politics and private life. Without God, many of us will not be here today, including my humble self, so He deserves all the glory.

“I also wish to appreciate the church, my family and all our supporters who have kept faith with us, despite the challenges and we are still forging ahead. Of a truth, it has not been easy, but, like I said earlier, God has been faithful to us.

“It is my administration’s goal to provide infrastructural development to all the 12 wards of the council. Therefore, the church should pray for the success of my administration and be patient as the dividends of democracy will soon reach every community in the Council.”

He added: “As we are all aware, government works better with the payment of taxes by citizens. Here at AMAC, we have been battling the issue of payment of taxes by business owners and residents. We need revenue to deliver all the democratic dividends we have in mind for the good people of AMAC. I want to use this opportunity to encourage all AMAC residents to continue payment of taxes to official AMAC accounts. There should not be any cash payment to anyone who claims to be representing AMAC.

“Our taskforce have been doing well in apprehending illegal revenue collectors. I want to assure you that very soon, we will block all revenue leakages so that the good people of AMAC can have good roads, electricity, schools, potable water, among others. Above all, we need your support for this administration to succeed. Always be law abiding and security conscious and together, we will take AMAC to greater heights.”

It would be recalled that activities marking the Maikalangu’s one year in office commenced last week with a World Press Conference and will continue with commissioning and supervision of projects in all the 12 electoral wards of the council and other events in the coming weeks.

Also, many residents of the council have expressed happiness with the projects being executed by the hardworking Chairman in different communities across the council, including construction of rural roads, rural electrification, construction of classroom blocks, provision of potable water, among other interventions.

Blueprint reports that residents of the Council are full of prayers for the Chairman, saying his achievements in just one year is testament to the fact that he will transform the council in the coming years.