Feature

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1, 2021 METRO

By Stanley Onyekwere

For allegedly turning a green area into a parking lot, the officials of the FCT Administration yesterday raided and confiscated vehicles belonging to some Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in Wuse area of the nation’s capital city.

In particular, the FCTA officials under the umbrella of Taskteam of Directorate of Road Traffic Devices (DRTS) and FCT Command and Control Centre accompanied by joint team of security agencies ransacked the green area situated at

Ladi Kwali Street, adjacent Sheraton Hotel.

Explaining the exercise, Head, DRTS Taskteam, Adamu Shehu Maiwada, who failed to disclose the number of vehicles confiscated, decried the illegal conversion of the green area into a car parking lot, in the busy highbrow area.

Maiwada said the vehicles confiscated during the ongoing exercise and those impounded during its operation last month will be charged before Mobile Court accordingly.

“ Yesterday , we impounded no fever than 26 vehicles, and this morning we have continued with the exercise.

“ Maybe the defaulters feel that the government is not serious about clean up exercise, but they are mistaken, as we determined to do our job, and we are not going to be tired.

“This is because, the government is supporting us with the necessary incentives , so we will continue doing the job”, he stated.

On his part, Secretary, FCT Command and Control Centre, Peter Olumuji, said there is no justification for what the BDC operators did, hence the raid to clear the nuisance.

He said the affected BDC operators’ leadership confirmed that they have been informed not to park their cars there, which is meant for people to relax and enjoy their lives.

According to him, “What they are doing is illegality , the FCT Minister cannot tolerate that. And government had given them places where they can be to transact their business without anybody disturbing them, then why must they come and encroach on others right , and you want your own right not to be encroached upon.

Recall that the Taskteam on Monday raided and cleared illegal car marts along the corridors of Benin and Akure Streets, in Area 10, and some roadside mechanic workshops and car wash marts in Utako District .

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria have been enjoined to embark on public enlightenment and education campaigns on issues of mental health especially in the area of drugs abuse, depression and suicide.

This charge was handed down to the Psychiatrists by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, yesterday, at the 52 Annual General Scientific Meeting (AGSM), tagged: Abuja 2021 of the association.

Bello, who was represented by Dr Mohammed Kawu, the Acting Secretary of FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, noted that mental health in Nigeria was often not given the prominence it deserves because patients and their families usually choose not to speak out or seek professional help for fear of stigmatisation.

“ It is therefore imperative that your association embark on public sensitisation campaign to shed more light on the issues of mental health.

“ Your theme for this gathering which is Mental Health and National Development in Nigeria: A call to Action, is therefore very timely, and germane.

“ I will therefore like to underscore the importance of this meeting which has brought together leading Psychiatrist from within and outside the country.

“ There is no doubt that this gathering will advance the frontiers of Psychiatrist practice in Nigeria,” Bello said.

Earlier, the President of the association, Prof. Taiwo Sheikh, said the national development of any country rests on the well being of its citizens.

“ In the same vein we know that there is no health without mental health. It is no only an adage but a stark reality.

Similarly, Dr Olusola EphraimOluwanuga, Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of Department of Psychiatrist, National Mosque, Abuja, said the programme would contribute immensely towards addressing issues of mental health in the country.

By Stanley Onyekwere

Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval for elongation of retirement age from 60 years to 65 years and length of service from 35 to 40 years for Teachers in the 36 States of the country and FCT, the Federal Capital Territory Administration(FCTA), has inaugurated a high powered Committee to fast track the immediate domestication and implementation of the new policy in the Territory.

The Permanent Secretary Mr. Olusade Adesola , who on behalf of the FCT Administration inaugurated the Standing Committee on the Implementation of the New Retirement Age and Length of Service for Teachers in the employ of the Federal Capital Territory Administration in the education, expressed confidence that the new policy will address the issue of brain drain as well as enrich teaching profession in the Territory.

He further explained that the inauguration of the Standing Committee became necessary following the release of a Service-Wide Guideline for the implementation of the new policy by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

The Permanent Secretary equally disclosed that all backlog of applications of beneficiaries that falls within the effective date of implementation being 1st January,2021 will be immediately processed, adding that this will ensure industrial harmony in the Territory.

He therefore charged all FCTA teachers to guard against abuse of the new policy by resisting the temptation to turn themselves into super teachers, by becoming unavailable to render the teaching service, for which they are being paid for, but rather reciprocate Government’s kind gesture by becoming extra dedicated and committed to their profession.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the Committee which is to be chaired by the Director of FCTA Human Resource Management, Malam Mohammed Bashir, has the following terms of reference: collation of applications from interested officers, screening of applications to determine eligibility based on extant guidelines, verification of documents and forwarding of recommendations for consideration and approval respectively.

Responding on behalf of the Committee, the Chairman of the Committee, Bashir expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in the Committee to carry out such a sensitive assignment.

While assuring the Administration that the Committee will immediately get to work to ensure the new policy takes off immediately.