Minister restates ban on okada, cattle grazing in FCT

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said begging, hawking, cattle grazing and commercial motorcycles (Okada) remain banned in the Federal Capital City, Abuja and must be enforced by security agents.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, said after an emergency FCT Security Committee meeting in Gwarinpa, Abuja yesterday that the FCT Administration would continue to collaborate with security agencies to ensure that the ban was made effective.

Bello said the institutions must be strengthened to carry out their statutory duties in line with the change agenda of the federal government.

He commended security agencies in the territory for the high-level intelligence sharing that has so far assisted the administration to maintain security.

The security committee condemned the attempt by criminal gangs that stormed the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre, Kuchiko in Bwari Area Council to rescue some of inmates at the centre.

The committee decried the illegal use of uncompleted buildings by miscreants and criminals in the FCT and warned that owners of such property would be held responsible for any security breath traced to their property.

The minister reiterated that owners of such uncompleted buildings must provide security in and around such property and ensure the cleanliness of the surroundings.

The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, Police Commissioner, Commandant Guards Brigade, Garrison Commander, heads of the Navy and Air Force commands in the FCT, Director of FCT DSS, chairmen of the six area councils, Coordinator, AMMC as well as Mandate Secretaries, the Ona of Abaji and the heads of para-military organs in the FCT attended the emergency meeting.