Minister harps on efficient records to check graft

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has called for efficient record-keeping and archives management as effective tools to tackle corruption in the country.
Bello stated this recently at the opening ceremonies of an exhibition and symposium, marking the nation’s 57th Independence Anniversary organised by the FCT Archives and History Bureau.
Represented by the Mandate Secretary of Social Development Secretariat, Alhaji Oladimeji Hassan, he stressed the importance of efficient record-keeping and archives management, saying that “the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has offered Nigerians another unique opportunity to rise again from the ashes of corruption to build a new nation rooted in discipline, mutual respect and accountability.”
“It is a clarion call for us to imbibe the culture of efficient record-keeping and archives management. Certainly, it is important to remind us that without
effective records management, the government’s crusade against corruption would come to naught,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Director FCT Archives and History Bureau, Ms. Cerie Jogai, revealed that the Department organised the symposium to highlight the importance of records and archives management not only in FCT Administration, but also in other public and private organisations.
She said “in line with the current global aspiration for accountability, transparency and good governance, the need for developing proper records keeping and management cannot be over emphasised,” while regretting that proper record keeping and the entire industry had suffered an untold setback.
Residents urge return of house-to-house sanitary inspection
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has called for the re-enacting of house-to-house sanitary inspection, noting that “this will ensure that individuals and corporate organisations consciously adhere to government policies over clean environment.”
According to Mr. Sunday Odeh, a primary health officer, sanitary inspectors in the past were employed to carry out routine checks on residential premises to ensure clean and healthy living.
He said: “These officers in the time past were dreaded by many residents as their visit to any home was such troubles, residents go out of their ways to clean their homes and surroundings even when nobody is standing guard to compel them to do so.
“This they undertake in preparation of the visit of the Officers who often pay unscheduled visits to homes. By so doing, homes and surroundings were kept clean. Stagnant waters were not allowed by residents near their homes. Bushes
near residential homes were often cleared while small gardens were always weeded to avoid over grown grasses.”
He stressed that in the days past, government residential areas, GRAs were known to be very clean as no civil servant would want to be identified with filthy living.
“Those who are not so opportune to live in the GRAs often try to copy those clean virtues that differentiate their areas with the GRAs.”
Sunday explained that the compulsory monthly sanitation days “are no longer being observed.”
“Many people are now complacent in keeping their homes and surroundings clean while gutters are filled with stagnant waters, over grown weeds have taken over many designated green areas and residential areas.
“We are, therefore, campaigning for the return of the sanitary inspectors in the Territory. Their re-introduction will go a long way at checkmating emergence of filthy environment, unhealthy society, which is a precursor to many avoidable health challenges in the Territory.”
Police boss lauds Bello for boosting operational capacity
The Commissioner of Police Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Sadiq Bello, has lauded the support of the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, in boosting the operational capacity of the Command, especially the FCT Administration’s recent reconstruction of its communication mast.
This, according to him, has boosted the radio coverage of the Capital Territory.
Bello stated this recently when he received the minister who paid a working visit to the Command.
According to him, “there can be no police without communication.”
Speaking, the minister stressed the readiness of his administration to “work very closely with the FCT Police Command to improve the security situation in the Territory, especially these ember months.”
The minister, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Christian Ohaa, and other top officials of the Administration, urged the officers and men of the FCT Police Command to redouble their efforts towards ridding FCT of criminals and criminal activities.
Bello recalled that the Administration refurbished 30 police patrol vans last year, and expressed its readiness to further refurbish another set of police patrol vehicles to improve security surveillance and patrol in the Territory.
He said the administration “will also appreciate the introduction of more police stations in strategic areas of the FCT, in view of the Territory’s rapidly expanding population.”
He said: “My coming here with my team is to encourage you and your men to continue to do your best, just as you have been doing in the past and to assure you that the FCT Administration will continue to give you the needed support as we are entering the ember months, where statistics has shown that crimes and criminality tend to increase.”
He advised the FCT Police Command to establish a motor vehicle repair workshop so that vehicle maintenance and repairs could be done in-house to improve their longevity, reduce cost and enhance security.
“Overall, I am very happy with your efforts in the command. I implore you to do more, particularly as you know Abuja is expanding by the day; the population is increasing and that is why the new two additional commands that you want to open at Life Camp and Maitama is a welcome development. This is something that we will support you to improve human resources availability so that we continue to make Abuja very secure.”
Speaking earlier, the police boss appealed to the minister for more patrol vehicles to improve strategic mobility of officers and men.