The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has approved the immediate renovation and upgrading of all 14 general hospitals across the territory, including the provision of new medical equipment, diagnostic facilities and upgraded operating theatres.
The FCT Administration also ordered the resumption of work on the long-abandoned Utako General Hospital as part of a broader intervention to improve healthcare delivery in the nation’s capital.
The decisions were reached at the 19th meeting of the FCT Executive Council, presided over by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and attended by the Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Chidi Amadi, said the council considered 20 memoranda submitted by various secretariats, departments and agencies.
The health intervention was disclosed by the Mandate Secretary of the Health Secretariat and Environmental Services, Adedolapo Fasawe.
Fasawe said the council approved the immediate commencement of renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading works across all 14 general hospitals in the FCT.
She said the intervention would include the procurement of new medical equipment, X-ray machines and diagnostic materials, as well as upgrades to hospital theatres.
According to her, Wike also directed the immediate commencement of work on the Utako General Hospital, which has remained abandoned for years.
She said the project would involve the construction, equipping and staffing of the facility.
The FCT Administration said the interventions were designed to expand access to quality and affordable healthcare services for residents.
Fasawe also disclosed that the administration had continued to meet its financial obligations to health insurance providers and Health Maintenance Organisations through the payment of premiums and capitation.
FCTA To Digitise 67 Courtrooms
The council also approved the digitalisation of the FCT High Court, covering about 67 courtrooms across its judicial divisions.
The General Counsel, Salman Dako, said the project would introduce electronic court recording and case-management systems to replace manual recording and physical filing of court documents.
He said the system was designed to address challenges associated with handwritten records and manual documentation.
According to him, implementation would commence immediately, with noticeable improvements expected within two weeks.
FCT Approves N5.7bn Power Project For Bwari Communities
The council approved a N5.703 billion contract for the construction of a 33KVA power supply line from Dawaki to Tukulo and surrounding communities in Bwari Area Council.
The Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said the contract was awarded to CGC Nigeria Limited and would be completed within eight months.
The council also ratified two previously completed and commissioned road projects in the satellite towns.
They include the Gaba-Tukulo Road and two-span river bridge in Bwari Area Council, awarded to Setraco Nigeria Limited for N8.219 billion, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT.
The second is the rehabilitation of the Paikon Kore-Ibuwa Road in Gwagwalada Area Council, awarded to Setraco Nigeria Limited for N8.890 billion, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT.
Zulkiflu said both projects had a 12-month completion period and had already been completed and commissioned.
FCTA Approves New Police Station For Wasa
The council also approved the construction of a new divisional police station at Wasa Informal Sector ahead of the planned relocation of mechanics and artisans from Apo to the area.
The Director of the FCTA Security Services Department, Adamu Gwary, said the project would be completed within six months.
He said the station was part of efforts to provide adequate security for Wasa and surrounding communities as economic activities increase following the planned relocation.
Gwary said the Wasa project was also part of Wike’s broader plan to bring policing closer to rural and developing communities across the FCT.
He disclosed that the administration planned to construct two divisional police stations in each of the six area councils.
According to him, police stations at Ushafa and Saburi had already been completed, furnished and handed over, with each facility equipped with a furnished six-man staff quarters.
FCT Moves To Tighten Land Revenue Collection
The Department of Land Administration also secured approval for three memoranda aimed at improving its operations and strengthening revenue collection.
The Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said the council approved the procurement of utility vehicles as well as integrated ICT infrastructure and accessories for the department.
The equipment will include desktop computers, workstations, display screens, scanners, network switches, fibre-optic connections, data-centre servers, monitoring systems and cooling facilities.
The council also ratified the award of a contract for the printing of customised revenue receipt booklets.
Nwankwoeze said the redesigned receipts would contain enhanced security features to prevent alterations and fraudulent practices in land revenue collection.
He said the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company would handle the production of the receipts.
FCTA Tackles Flooding, Waterborne Diseases
The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) also secured approval for six memoranda, including five for ratification and one for fresh approval.
The Overseeing Coordinator of AMMC, Mary Amina Ahmadu, said the approvals would support maintenance works across the capital, particularly waterways and other areas affected by environmental challenges.
She attributed some flooding problems in the FCT to indiscriminate dumping of refuse, which blocks waterways and drainage channels.
The FCT Water Board also secured approval for the supply of high-test hypochlorite (HTH), a chemical used for water treatment.
The Acting General Manager of the Water Board, Chinyere Elechi, said the chemical was essential for disinfecting water and eliminating pathogenic microorganisms before distribution to consumers.
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She said effective water treatment was necessary to prevent waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery.
The council also approved the renewal of insurance for facilities associated with the Lower Usman Dam Treatment Plant.
Public Schools To Get Examination Materials
The Education Secretariat secured approval for two contracts for the provision of examination materials for pupils and students in primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools across the FCT.
The Mandate Secretary for Education, Danlami Hayyo, said the approval was part of the administration’s efforts to improve public schools through renovation, rehabilitation, improved classroom facilities and provision of instructional materials.
Hayyo said improvements in public school infrastructure had encouraged some parents to move their children from private schools to government schools.
He said the provision of examination materials would ensure the smooth conduct of examinations across public schools in the territory.
The 19th FCT Executive Council meeting therefore approved projects and interventions spanning healthcare, education, justice, security, power, land administration, environmental management and water supply as the administration continues its infrastructure and public-service expansion across the capital.
