In compliance with a recent court order, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has sworn in the newly elected Chairmen and Vice chairmen of Six Area Councils in FCT.
The Oath of Office was administered to the Chairmen and their Deputies on Tuesday in Abuja, by the Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Hussaini Yusuf, who was represented by Justice Suleiman Belgore.
While addressing the Chairmen, the minister who urged them to adhere to the Oath of Office, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as the FCT’s norms and regulations, also stressed the need to satisfy the basic needs of the people.
In his words: “The time of electioneering campaign is over. Now it is time to face and focus on good governance to ensure that electorate enjoys more dividends of democracy in the territory.
” You should accord priority attention to Primary Health Care (PHC) services; sanitation primary education and other basic social amenities,” Bello said.
Meanwhile, the Mandate Secretary for FCT Area Councils Services Secretariat, Abubakar Dantsoho, has warned that the secretariat will be out for chairmen who do not perform as expected.
According to him: ” You were elected to perform and you are going to be judged by your performance. You can see about three of them were reelected if they have not performed well I’m sure they will not be elected by the electorate.
” So, it is a very big challenge, it is not a time for a jamboree. It is time for governance and I urge them to do their best otherwise we will be out for them.
” At the FCT Area Council Services Secretariat we are very in charge of the area councils and we will be going after them, inspecting their programmes and whoever does not perform we will let the law take its course.”
While taking their Oath of Office earlier, the newly elected chairmen pledged to defend Nigeria’s constitution and abide by the rules and regulations guiding the running of FCT without fear or favour, as well as govern in fairness, devoid of discrimination against all residents, irrespective of political, ethnic or religious affiliations.