By Awaal Gata
Natives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the banner of Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja (OIDA) have congratulated the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Mohammed Bello, on his appointment while seeking his attention in the areas of accelerated development of satellite towns and rural areas.
A statement by the President of the association, Pastor Danladi Jeji, said the decision followed a meeting of the Central and Chiefdom Executives of the organisation which met during the weekend to deliberate on the new appointments for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
OIDA further said it was hopeful that Alhaji Mohammed will bring his wealth of experience garnered at the National Hajj Commission to the FCT administration by engaging natives and residents in policy formulation.
It asked the new minister to develop Abuja city centre simultaneously with the satellite towns and rural areas so as to discourage the influx of people and businesses into the city from the suburbs.
Danladi said: “While we welcome Alhaji Mohammed, we also seek an audience with the FCT Minister to formally welcome him and other new officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration so as to table the challenges facing Abuja satellite towns and rural communities.
“We also want FCT natives and residents to be formally co-opted into several political and administrative positions so as to effectively drive the change message of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
OIDA expressed its commitment to fully work with the new FCT administration due to the integrity of Alhaji Mohammed as a no-nonsense administrator and achiever.
The association also welcomed the new Permanent Secretary of the FCT, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, and asked him to “re-engineer the bureaucracy of Abuja city for service delivery.”
Despite not getting a ministerial slot from the Buhari administration, OIDA promised to sustain the struggle for FCT natives’ emancipation, while at the same time support constituted authorities.
