The Senate Committee on FCT has blamed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, over what it described as the resurgence of beggars, destitute and prostitutes, despite efforts by previous administrations to rid same.
But the minister responding explained that the development was due to the continuous influx of people into the nation’s capital city in large numbers, a situation which in turn was responsible for rendering ineffective the developmental vision and planning of the FCT.
Senator Bala also stated that the continuous existence of such anti-social vices was largely due to the inability of the FCT administration to enforce laws, an aspect which was outside the jurisdiction of its duties.
Senator Bala made this known while appearing before the Senate committee to defend the budget of the FCT.
According to him, the FCT administration makes use of police for enforcement, saying the police men, given their numerical strength in Abuja, cannot be everywhere at the same time.
Bala explained that the FCT had severally contemplated making use of the military in enforcement of laws but had given thought to the eventual consequence of so doing which may lead to a clash of duties.
“My predecessors managed Abuja with 500,000 people but I am today managing Abuja with over 5 million people,” he said.
The tranquil atmosphere of the Budget defence became tense when a member of the committee and senator representing Kogi Central, Nurudeen Abatemi Usman, accused the minister of failing to provide effective leadership in the FCT.
This immediately caused the FCT minister to flare and engage the lawmaker in a verbal exchange that prompted the intervention of the committee’s chairman, Senator Smart Adeyemi.
Bala who frowned at Abatemi’s statement accused him of running down people’s reputation.
“I feel insulted by your comment. I see it as an attack on my integrity and I take exception to it.
“You cannot tell me that it is the absence of leadership,” an irate Bala almost yelled.
