FCTA set to resolve border dispute with Niger – Bello

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has said that the FCT Administration “is set to end the lingering boundary disputes between communities in Niger state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).” The Minister, who stated this recently during a joint section with the Niger state government, led by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, noted that Abuja “is a creation of law and that the issues about its boundary are clearly stated in the laws of the land and, therefore, cannot be shrouded in confusion.” According to him, “easiest way out of the situation is to reactivate various institutional frameworks set up to deal with such matters.” He suggested that such a committee should be headed by very senior officials, such as the Secretary to the Niger state government or the FCT Permanent Secretary, while comprising all relevant officers of both administrations.
He further said the Committee should liaise with relevant federal government agencies like the National Boundary Commission with a view to working out a permanent solution to the issues.
Bello, however, expressed readiness to remit all Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes due Suleja from workers who reside in Suleja, but work in Abuja, adding that “FCT is always prepared to act in tandem with the provisions of the laws.” He also lamented that the road had become “so congested that it is now a serious obstruction to traffic and posing a severe risk to life and property.” The Minister called on the local council offi cials of the border communities to rise up to the challenge of combating the menace of fi lth in the Zuba-Madala axis, as well as the encroachment of traders on the Madala end of the Abuja – Kaduna highway.
Bello, however, directed the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Umar Shuaibu, to set machinery in motion to reclaim the road and the adjoining shoulders.
Speaking earlier, Governor Bello said he was in Abuja in the quest for a peaceful resolution of the lingering border dispute between the two territories in Dakwa and Tafa local governments of Niger state as well as Gwagwalada and Bwari area councils.
He noted that all the four council areas have continued to lay claims to the various disputed pieces of land and that there was need to deal with the matter in an amicable way.
He also suggested that all developments on the disputed areas as well as allocations by both local councils in the affected communities be suspended pending the resolution of which local councils own the various parcels of land.
Bello also affi rmed that there were the issues of waste management especially in Zuba – Madala stretch and the issue of PAYE tax remittances due Suleja local government from officers working in Abuja, but who reside in Suleja.
He said the Chairman of Tafa local government area would need the support of the FCTA in dealing withenvironmental sanitation and waste management in the area as facilities in Suleja had been over stretched.