Popular Abuja Market On Fire

A fire has erupted at Wuse Market Abuja’s bustling commercial hub, on Tuesday evening.  The fire prompted immediate evacuations and a swift response from emergency services. The cause of the inferno has remained unknown, but the rapid mobilization of firefighters and security personnel to the site shows the gravity of the situation.  The market, known for its extensive array of goods and services, experienced an abrupt halt in activities as traders and shoppers alike were seen fleeing the vicinity. This incident follows a tragic event on February 29, 2024, where a fire claimed three lives in a residential building within EFAB estate, Karsana District, near Gwarinpa. The fire reportedly originated from an explosion linked to a diesel drum, leading to a fierce battle against the flames by both residents and the Federal Fire Service (FFS). The current fire at Wuse Market has caused significant concern among the populace, given the market’s prominence and the recent memory of the EFAB estate tragedy.

Police React to Abuja explosion 

The FCT Police Command has reacted to reports of an explosion in the Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory. In a series of tweets via X on Wednesday, some residents attributed the incident to bomb. But the FCT police command in a statement by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the incident was as a result of an overheated metal refuse bin. “The FCT Police Command hereby wishes to update the public on an alleged explosion on 24/01/2024 at about 1145 hrs, near a refuse dump outside the Bureau of Public Enterprise premises in Maitama, Abuja.” “A rapid response team and members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was deployed to assess the situation and preliminary findings indicate than an overheated metal refuse container activated under intense heat, exploded, thereby causing injury to two of the refuse evacuator, who are currently receiving medical attention in Maitama General Hospital. “The FCT Police Command urges members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from using metal refuse bins. Instead, we recommend the use of plastic or rubber containers for waste disposal, as they pose a reduced risk of incidents related to overheated metal refuse containers,” the statement said.

FCTA Warns Shop Owners Against Using Social Devt Secretariat As Drinking Joint   

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned against the use of the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture complex in Garki, Abuja, as a drinking joint by shop owners. Mr Ibrahim Masari, the Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, FCTA, gave the warning during an emergency meeting with business operators and shop owners at the secretariat in Abuja. Masari, thereafter, designated 7:30pm as the daily closing hour for all business and shop owners operating within the complex due to security concerns. He expressed dismay at the level of lawlessness that transpired within the secretariat when he paid an unscheduled visit to the complex around 7.10 pm on October 29. He explained that the visit was to affirm the veracity of the information at his disposal about the heinous acts that happens at the complex late hours of the night. “To my dismay, I discovered more than 500 persons within the complex at such late hours, enjoying themselves with alcoholic drinks and smoking indiscriminately. “I was not aware of what the event or activity was all about, as there was no official communication whatsoever to that effect. “After waiting patiently till about 8.30 p.m. with no signs of them exiting soon, I invited some of the private security guards on duty who accompanied me to disperse the gathering. “This is very disturbing. “Management will no longer condone a situation whereby non-staff and tenants in the secretariat will stay back after official closing hours to as late as 9 pm,” he said. The mandate scribe said that the 7.30 pm closing hour would take effect from Thursday, advising members of the public to take note to avoid embarrassment from security personnel. He stressed that the civil service rule forbids the sale of alcohol or any other intoxicating substances within working premises. He added that an internal mechanism has been activated to sanction business owners who encouraged such lawlessness and disregard to the extant rules. “Business owners and members of the public who transact businesses in the complex after 7.30pm will have themselves to blame, if caught flouting this directive. “Our private security guards have been duly advised accordingly,” he said. He explained that the decision was imperative taking into consideration the security of lives as well as government properties. 

FCTA, Israel Partner On Agriculture, Security, Digital Economy

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration will partner with the State of Israel on agriculture, security, and digital economy. Wike stated this when he received the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Michael Freeman, in his office in Abuja. He expressed a commitment to partner with Israel on information technology, particularly in the development of the planned Technology Village in Abuja. The minister added that the climatic condition of Abuja city is also conducive for agricultural production. “The climate here is good for agriculture, so I would like to partner with you to have a large technology driven farm to employ a lot of our youths. “It will be good if you can open that channel,” he said. Wike also called for partnership to improve the security situation in the FCT, stressing that security was very crucial to enable people to do their businesses without fear. “Let us work together to help us reduce some of the insecurity in FCT,” he added. Earlier, Freeman offered to support the FCT minister in making Abuja a technology hub using Israeli expertise. He said that currently when people think about technology, Lagos always comes to mind, stressing the need to work together to build a technology-driven economy in the federal capital. “I want to discuss with your team on using Israeli expertise to set up centres where people can learn about digital economy and build digital start-ups. “We will also be glad to work with you on agriculture in Nigeria to provide jobs. We will also work with you on digital economy, alternative energy and security. “There are huge opportunities for us to work on,” he said. The ambassador invited the minister to visit Israel to discuss opportunities that could benefit all parties.

FCTA’s N34bn ground rent debtors will be penalised, says Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says owners of landed properties owing the FCT Administration (FCTA) ground rents, amounting to N34 billion would be penalised. Wike stated this when members of the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee Investigating Failure of Mass Transportation in Nigeria, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday. He warned allottees owing the FCT Administration ground rents to either pay or have their property revoked and reallocated to those who could pay. “I have calculated the debt of nonpayment of ground rent, which is about N34 billion, and I am going to collect all of those back. I don’t care, all I want is for the rent to be paid,” he said. The minister said that the list of the people owing FCTA ground rent would be published on Thursday, adding that they would be given two weeks to pay. According to him, whoever does not pay, his land will be revoked and be given to whoever will pay so that the necessary services will be rendered. “People want to live in a beautiful city but don’t want to pay their dues which is impossible.” He said that the decision became necessary following a decision to tie projects to Internally Generated Revenue to enable contractors complete abandoned projects. Wike complained about the poor budgetary allocation to the FCT and appealed to the lawmakers to assist in improving its budgetary provisions. The minister also said that he would overhaul the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO), expressing displeasure that AUMTCO buses were loaned out without maintenance. Earlier, Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Mr Afam Ogene said that his committee visited the minister to find solutions to epileptic mass transportation in the country and the FCT. Ogene described the development as “worrisome”, saying that over N16 billion had been invested in mass transportation during the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SUR-P) with little services being rendered. He expressed relief with the ongoing transformation of the Abuja Light Rail transport system, and traffic lights across the city. “We are here to encourage you to look into transportation and reorganize it. We will support you to do it and it will also solve problems of one chance in the city,” he pledged. 

FCTA demolishes illegal market used for criminal hideouts in Abuja

The officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday demolished an illegal market called “Kasuwan Dare”, a suspected hideout for hoodlums and drug dealers in Asokoro, Abuja. The market was located at Hassan Musa Katsina Street, near Kpaduma II in Asokoro Extension, Abuja. Speaking after the demolition, the Director, Department of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, said that the illegal market was becoming a threat to the residents of the area and passerby. Galadima added that the area was turned into a haven for criminal activities despite relentless efforts by the FCT Administration to sanitise the area. He added that the miscreants operating in the area were affecting the aesthetic quality of the entire environment, adding that the Administration would allow it to continue. He said that area had to go because it constituted a security threat, adding that the area was also serving as a hideout for miscreants, drug dealers and men of the underworld. “The operation will help us get rid of the hoodlums and drug dealers that have taken over the place. “We had demolished the place about three times, but the nuisances rebuilt and continued their activities. “This time around, the demolished market will remain demolished. We need to sanitise the place and enhance the aesthetic quality of the environment. “It is also part of the current administration’s policy of sanitising the city, and this is one of the areas we are commencing the exercise,” he said. Also, the Secretary, FCTA Command and Control, Mr Peter Olumuji, said that efforts would be put in place to ensure the safety of residents in the area. The Village Head of Kpaduma, Mr Bitrus Yakubu, commended the FCT Administration for coming to their rescue and for ridding the area of hoodlums. “The place has been here for over twenty years but today it has gone down for our own good. “We are very happy as a community that the area is cleared for good,” Bitrus said.