FCT minister vows to rid streets of beggars, hawkers

Constitutes task force on debt recovery
Irked by the filthy state of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, the minister Muhammad Bello, has vowed to rid the streets of beggars, hawkers and other environmental nuisances.

The minister gave the charge in Abuja yesterday, while effecting change of guards at the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), the agency saddled with keeping the city clean.

Dissolving the management of the agency, he lamented that a lot has been wrong with the its management, warning the new team to brace up to the challenges.

Director of the agency, Baba Shehu Lawan was replaced with Mrs. Oluwatoyin Omolola Olanipekun.

The minister also directed that the former management team be constituted into a special task force on the recovery of N9.8 billion debt owed the agency. He gave them eight weeks window to recover the money.

The minister also approved the immediate removal of all heads of department as well as heads of units under the former board, directing their deputies to immediately take charge.

He added that the former director and his management team should ensure all handing over processes are completed by Friday May 27, 2016.

The minister approved the appointment of retired Squadron Leader Abdullahi Adamu Monjel, as head of a special team of 200 security personnel.

The team was drawn from the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to assist in the enforcement of environmental laws in Abuja.

Bello however warned the new management and special team to conduct their duties within the ambit of the law, adding he will not tolerate any act of abuse of fundamental human rights of the residents.

In another development, Bello urged the Students’ Parliament in the Federal Capital Territory to enact laws to encourage children ensure that they assist their parents in keeping the environment clean.

He gave this challenge while receiving the 7TH Assembly of the FCT Students’ Parliament led by its Speaker, Master Oral Nwaka that paid him a visit in his office.

His words: “We need laws from your parliament that will ensure that refuse is dumped in designated places and also to encourage everybody to use dustbins.”

“Since I came in as the Minister, one of my greatest challenges is how dirty the environment is, especially in the Area Councils.