The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has approved the immediate renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of all 14 general hospitals in the territory, while also directing the resumption of work on the long-abandoned Utako General Hospital.
The decisions were among the major resolutions of 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 FCT Minister, Chidi Amadi, said the council considered 20 memoranda submitted by various secretariats, departments and agencies.
He said the approvals were aimed at accelerating infrastructure development and improving public services across the nation’s capital.
Health
The Mandate Secretary of the Health Secretariat and Environmental Services, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said the council approved the immediate commencement of renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading works in all 14 general hospitals in the FCT.
She said the intervention would include the procurement of new medical equipment, including X-ray machines and diagnostic materials, as well as upgrades to hospital theatres.
Fasawe also disclosed that Wike had directed the resumption of work on the Utako General Hospital, which has remained abandoned for years.
According to her, the project would involve the construction, equipping and staffing of the hospital.
She said the interventions were expected to improve the availability of quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services to residents.
Fasawe added 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.
FCT High Court to Go Digital
The council also approved the digitalisation of the FCT High Court, covering about 67 courtrooms across its various judicial divisions.
The General Counsel, Salman Dako, said the project would introduce electronic court recording and case-management systems, replacing manual recording, handwritten documentation and physical case files with digital processes.
He said implementation would commence immediately, with noticeable improvements expected within two weeks.
Education
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, Dr Danlami Hayyo, said the approval formed part of efforts to consolidate the administration’s transformation of public schools through renovation, rehabilitation, improved classroom facilities and the provision of instructional materials.
Hayyo said the improvement in public school infrastructure had encouraged some parents to move their children from private schools to public schools.
He said the examination materials would ensure the smooth conduct of examinations across FCT public schools.
N5.7bn Power Project for Bwari
The Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) also secured approval for a N5.703 billion contract for the construction of a 33KVA power supply line from Dawaki to Tukulo and surrounding villages in Bwari Area Council.
The Coordinator of 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 are 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, and the rehabilitation of the Paikon Kore-Ibuwa Road in Gwagwalada Area Council, awarded to the same company for N8.890 billion, also inclusive of VAT.
Zulkiflu said both projects had a 12-month completion period and had already been completed and commissioned.
Land Administration Gets ICT Upgrade
The Department of Land Administration secured approval for three memoranda aimed at improving its operations and strengthening revenue collection.
Its Director, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said the council approved the procurement of utility vehicles, integrated ICT infrastructure and related accessories.
The ICT component includes desktop computers, workstations, display screens, scanners, network switches, fibre-optic connections, data-centre servers, monitoring systems and cooling systems.
The council also ratified the award of a contract for the printing of customised revenue receipt booklets.
Nwankwoeze said the redesigned receipts would feature enhanced security measures to prevent alterations and fraudulent practices in land revenue collection.
He said the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company would produce the new receipts.
Wasa Gets New Police Station
The council also approved the construction of a new divisional police station at the Wasa Informal Sector ahead of the planned relocation of Apo mechanics and artisans to the area.
The Director of the FCTA Security Services Department, Adamu Gwary, said the project, approved at Tuesday’s council meeting, would be completed within six months.
He said the project followed Wike’s directive to provide adequate security for the Wasa Informal Sector and surrounding communities as economic activities increase.
Gwary said the project was part of the administration’s broader plan to bring policing closer to rural and developing communities across the FCT.
According to him, the administration plans to construct two divisional police stations in each of the six area councils.
He disclosed that two stations, located in Ushafa and Saburi, had already been completed, furnished and handed over, with each facility having furnished accommodation for six police personnel.
Water, Environment
The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) secured approval for six memoranda, five for ratification and one for fresh approval.
The Overseeing Coordinator of AMMC, Mrs Mary Amina Ahmadu, said the approvals would facilitate maintenance works across the capital, particularly in waterways and other locations affected by environmental challenges.
She attributed some flooding problems in the FCT to indiscriminate dumping of refuse, which blocks waterways, and stressed the need for sustained environmental maintenance.
The FCT Water Board also secured approval for two memoranda, including the supply of high-test hypochlorite (HTH), a powdered chlorine used in water treatment.
The Acting General Manager of the Water Board, Mrs Chinyere Elechi, said the chemical was essential for disinfecting water and eliminating pathogenic microorganisms before distribution to consumers.
She said adequate water treatment was necessary to prevent waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery.
The second memorandum concerned the renewal of insurance for facilities associated with the Lower Usman Dam Treatment Plant.
The resolutions of the 19th FCT Executive Council meeting cut across healthcare, education, justice, security, land administration, power, environmental management and water supply, as the FCTA intensifies efforts to upgrade infrastructure and public services across the territory.