Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
Thirty people have been killed in Kuje Area Council of the FCT as a result of landslide traced to activities of illegal miners.
This news filtered out on Thursday at a maiden meeting between the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and the chairmen of the six Area Councils.
The Chairman Kuje Area Council, Abdullahi Sabo, disclosed this at the meeting attended by Wike alongside the Minister of state for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud and FCT Permanent Secretary Mr Olusade Adesola.
“There is the issue of illegal mining in the FCT. There is indiscriminate mining licences given out and this has led to insecurity. They give letters of consent to Chinese people.
“Just few days ago, there was a land slide 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,” Sabo said.
The death of scores of people from mudslide also followed the abduction of 19 persons in Bwari Area Council.
Wike, who was stunned by the revelation promised to summon the FCT Director of State Services and the Commissioner of Police for up to date briefings on the kidnap and rescue operations.
He charged the Area Councils to create surveillance team that will help in checking illegal mining in communities, which creates avenue for insecurity.
He said security issues must be taken seriously by the chairmen considering their proximity to the grassroots.
Wike also promised to liaise with the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake to tackle illegal mining in the FCT.
Presenting their challenges before the ministers, Chairman Kwali Area Council, Danladi Chiya who spoke on behalf of others, identified inadequate funds, mining activities, non involvement of chairmen in land allocation and insecurity as key challenges.
Chiya appealed to the Wike and Mahmoud to come to their aide.
“When we had about your appointment, we were happy because you have been a Council Chairman and therefore understand our challenges.
“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 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,” Chiya said.
On his part, Chairman, Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya clamoured for greater inclusion of council chairmen in land allocation.
“Sometime in 2017, I was a council staff then. The council land departments are centralized in Area 11 and since then there is no way of checkmating their (illegal miners’) activities. If you look at Dutse, you will see unplanned developments and you would be wondering who is controlling them. We only watch. We can’t do anything because we can’t control them,” he said.
Wike promised to address the concerns of the chairmen saying as a former council boss, he understood their predicament.
“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,” Wike said.
