Thirty people were killed in a catastrophic avalanche caused by unlicensed miners’ activities in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
On Thursday, nineteen people were kidnapped in Abuja’s Bwari Area Council.
This was revealed by the council area chairman during a meeting with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and six Area Council Chairmen.
Wike, who expressed amazement at the happenings, said he would meet with the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Commissioner of Police in Abuja to receive sufficient briefings on the kidnapping and to help rescue operations.
He also asked the council leaders to form a task group to monitor mining activity in their respective districts.
Wike stated that he is committed to meeting with Dele Alake, his colleague in Solid Minerals, to discuss unlawful mining in the FCT.
Speaking about the issues facing the councils, Kwali Area Council chairman Danladi Chiya urged the Minister to intervene.
“When we heard about your appointment, we were delighted because you have been a Council Chairman and thus understand our challenges,” he remarked.
Our challenges are inadequate funding of the local government system. We have the major challenge of insecurity across the six Area Councils. Just today (Thursday), about 19 people were kidnapped in the Bwari Area Council. I just received about five in my council who were in captivity for about six days.
“The next is the development of satellite towns. The issue of sanitation is one of the major challenges confronting us.
“There is also no efficient transport facility. The Abuja Urban Mass Transit buses are no longer functional.
“Then there is the issue of land allocation. You sit in your council, and your backyard will be allocated to someone you don’t even know. Your graveyards and worship centres would be allocated and we are saying that we should be carried along in terms of land allocation.
“The responsibility of primary school teachers is on the local governments. The UBE’s payment of salaries lies on the council which by law is supposed to be 60-40 percent. We are pleading that you help us so that this issue can be looked into.”
Abdullahi Sabo, Chairman of the Kuje Area Council, bemoaned the threat posed by unlicensed miners.
“The issue of illegal mining in the FCT,” he remarked. “Insecurity has resulted from the uncontrolled distribution of mining licenses. They issue consent letters to Chinese citizens.
“Just a few days ago, there was a landslide that took the lives of 30 people as a result of the activities of illegal miners. We appeal to you to engage the Minister of Mines to stop mining in the FCT.”
“On sanitation, we have a problem. Sanitation is a big issue. It is the duty of the council not just to collect the fees but to dispose of refuse. We have to sit down and work together on this by adopting a common template.
Reacting, Wike promised to address the issues, saying as a former council boss, he understood their predicament.
According to him; “I am here to work for the FCT, not to work for any political party. I am here to support the administration of Asiwaju to realize the dreams of the founding fathers. It doesn’t matter your political affiliations or religion, I am here to serve all.
“We cannot achieve anything without support from the Councils. We are not struggling for power and so we have to collaborate. It is in your interest as council chairmen to work for the people and you can do by collaborating with us. What affects you affects me and so I will not be anywhere and allow Area Councils to be shortchanged.
“I will want to advise that we manage what we have but we will work to ensure that what you are supposed to get, that you get it and nobody will shortchange you.
“Insecurity is a major problem all over and those of you who are outside the Municipality, you have to work hard. Information is key. The incident of kidnap you talked about, nobody has reported that to me. It is a serious issue and we need to call an emergency security meeting. I have to call the Director of SSS and the CP now to give me more details because it is very embarrassing to me. However, I am happy you said the SSS official and the DPO in the affected council are informed of the situation.
“On sanitation, we have a problem. Sanitation is a big issue. It is the duty of the council not just to collect the fees but to dispose of refuse. We have to sit down and work together on this by adopting a common template.
“On illegal mining, I will talk to the minister. Ordinarily, I would say you should also form your own surveillance taskforce as Chief Security Officers of your councils and make arrests and we will support you. However, I will meet with the minister.”
Source: Lagos City Reporters
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