ACN Tasks Minister On Satellite Towns

Mr. Faruk Osuma, Chairman of the ACN, FCT Chapter, on Tuesday in Abuja charged the FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, to develop Abuja satellite towns.

Osuma told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that developing the satellite towns would not only ease traffic but reduce congestion within the metropolis.

“If the Federal Government is going to concentrate on its own agencies within the FCT metropolis, you as the FCT administrator begin to build some agencies in the satellite towns.

“The policy should change from preventing people from coming into the metropolis to managing the influx.

“For instance, FCDA has its central point in area 11; nothing stops Nigerian investment in Kuje. Nothing stops development control from moving to Kubwa as against them just having satellite offices. Let the headquarters move there.

“In addition to reducing the influx of people into the metropolis, it would also drive development into such satellite towns.’’

Osuma added that the administration should begin to look beyond where the immediate visibility of infrastructure was being deployed, emphasising that the FCT stretched from Zuba to Abaji.

“There is Idu industrial zone, accessibility should be created there. Granting of C of O should be hastened so that companies that want to set up production factories can come in and begin to operate.

“Tie reputable deals with an independent power sector to provide stable and clean electricity for the industrialists as a way of luring them to set up there.

“This would create an opportunity for people to sell things, thereby creating employment for a lot of people.’’

He also said that the minister should see his position as an opportunity to immortalise himself by way of making an impact in the lives of the masses.

“Now, the minister has been presented with a life time opportunity to entrench himself in the annals of history for life.

“It is left for him to make the decision of choosing between popular policy and policy that would serve or benefit the few bourgeois around him.’’