Security of lives and property, they say, is the primary duty of any responsible government.
This is perhaps what the FCT Administration set out to achieve when it procured and distributed 60 operational vehicles with communication gadget features to security agencies across the Area councils in the Territory.
The Minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello oversaw the inauguration and hand-over ceremony in Abuja.
Malam Bello told the recipients that the intervention was targeted at improving the capacity of security agencies in the FCT, to enable them discharge their duties in the Territory optimally.
The Minister, who listed the beneficiary organisations to include the Police, Armed Forces, NSCDC and other Paramilitary organisations, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), hinted that the vehicles could be centrally controlled to enhance service delivery.
He tasked the beneficiaries to ensure judicious use and maintenance of the vehicles, adding that each vehicle has been backed up by a three-year maintenance contract.
“.. produce them for servicing, according to a schedule to be worked out… the FCT remains safe and our confidence in the ability of the security agencies to provide adequate security,” he told them.
“The Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has put in place several measures to confront current security challenges and to contain the threats posed by criminals in all forms. We expect that these vehicles and other security equipment will be put to effective use.”
The Minister also disclosed that the FCTA Security Council, in addition to the vehicles, had approved the disbursement of N500 Million to six Area Councils for the commencement and initial implementation of the Community Policing scheme in the Territory.
Urging residents not to be deterred by the security alert from some quarters, the Minister boldly declared that “Abuja is safe”.
“Through the efforts of our security agencies, many potentially devastating criminal acts have been prevented,” he insisted. “In fact, I make bold to say that for every crime committed, several others were nipped in the bud.”
In a remark, the Chairman, Senate committee on FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi commended the Minister for the “vision and doggedness” towards tackling crime and criminality in the FCT.
“We salute your vision, we salute your determination to make Abuja better than you met it,” he hailed Mallam Bello.
On her part, Minister of State for FCT, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, said the efforts of FCTA was in line with section 14(2) of the 1999 constitution as amended that Prioritize the security of lives and property.
” I have no doubt in my mind that the 60 operational vehicles will further enhance the security architecture in the territory,” Hajiya Aliyu said.
She urged all security agencies to ensure that the vehicles are always ready for use towards giving prompt responses to all forms of emergency and distress calls.
RN