The Federal Capital Territory Administration recorded internally generated revenue (IGR) of N1.472 billion for July 2012, the Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, disclosed.

The minister, who made this known in Abuja while chairing the FCTA Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting, said the IGR rose by N371 million or 34 per cent over the preceding month’s figure of N1.101 billion.

She stated that the FCTA would increase its revenue in order to stimulate more economic activities within the territory.

“We are working very hard and partnering with the Area Councils Chairmen to raise the present level of revenue. This will ultimately result in more money being available for the Area Councils.

“We are also going to put in place before the next meeting mechanism such as biometrics to eliminate ghost workers and track the number of workers in the six area councils of the territory,” she said.

She revealed that the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) contributed the lion’s share of the IGR of N989.14 million while FCT Water Board realised N190.88 million.

Other revenue collectors include: Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), N146.24 million; Abuja Environmental Protection Board, N57.72 million and Directorate of Road Traffic Services, N53.52 million.

Akinjide explained that the sum of N1.723 billion was available for distribution among the area councils from revenue received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee for June 2012.Of the N1.723 billion, she revealed that primary school teachers in the six area councils – Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali – accounted for N838.24 million while the area councils received N772.66 million.

The FCTA Area Councils JAAC also allocated N95.04 million to Area Council Pension Board being 15 per cent pension fund and N17.23 million to Area Council Service Commission being one per cent training fund.

The minister gave the breakdown of the revenue allocation received by the area councils as follows: Abaji (N116.32 million), Abuja Municipal (N170.05 million), Bwari (N133.38 million), Gwagwalada (N139.66 million), Kuje (N111.12 million) and Kwali (N102.11 million).

The Kuje Area Council Chairman, Danladi Etsu Zhin, commended the minister for ensuring transparency and accountability in the monthly revenue allocations to the six area councils.

Zhin stated, “Our JAAC meetings have always been open and transparent. The FCT Area Councils are not facing interference or marginalization as our fellow local governments in other states are witnessing. The FCTA has not withheld or deducted any of our funds.”

The FCTA Area Councils JAAC meeting, which was chaired by the minister of state for FCT, was attended by the Permanent Secretary, FCT, Engr. Anthony Ozodinobi; the chairmen of the six area councils, Senior Special Assistant (Special Duties), Mrs. Jummai Kwanashie; Director of the Satellite Towns Development Agency, Engr. Tukur Ibrahim and other directors in the FCTA.

Meanwhile in another development, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has affirmed its determination to resolve the lingering Apo Resettlement dilemma before the end of December 2012.

The Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, made this known in Abuja while inaugurating a Committee to look into the complaints by the indigenes on cases of omission of allocation of houses and plots.

The new Committee is chaired by the Solicitor General, Legal Services Department, FCTA, Mrs. Helen Oloja and has as members the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Micah Jiba; Director of Resettlement & Compensation, Mr. Francis Okechukwu; Director of Urban and Regional Planning, FCDA, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman; Director of Public Building, Mr. Eni Ugot, and Senior Special Assistant (Special Duties) to the Minister of State, Mrs. Jummai Kwanashie.

Other members include: acting Director of Satellite Towns Development Agency, Engr. Tukur Ibrahim; Deputy Director, Planning & Resettlement, Mrs. Helen Obichiena; Deputy Director, Valuation & Compensation, Mr. Odebode Olusola; Deputy Director, Monitoring & Logistics, Alhaji Babakura Umar; Personal Assistant (Resettlement Matters) to the Minister of State, Mr. Ogenyi Benedict, and representatives of the Hon. Minister of FCT and the Permanent Secretary, FCTA.

Akinjide explained that the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, was deeply concern over the lingering of the Apo Resettlement problem since 2007, adding that the Administration would proffer a win-win solution on the matter.

She said, “It is the wish of the Hon. Minister of FCT and my goal to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of everyone before the end of December 2012. The vision of the FCTA is to provide a befitting capital and a conducive environment for the Federal Government to effectively work.

“When the Federal Government is working effectively, the FCTA will also be effective as well as the whole of Nigeria. We don’t want a resettlement issue that brings disharmony or the Administration to ridicule. We want this issue to end this year.”

Akinjide gave the Committee four weeks to complete its terms of reference and submit a report on the way forward.

She listed the terms of reference of the committee members as:

* To highlight all outstanding issues affecting the Apo Resettlement Scheme;

* To look into the complaints by the indigenes on cases of omission of allocation of houses and plots;

* To identify, give accurate data on aggrieved persons and liaise with the communities in order to come up with immediate and lasting solution to the identified problems;

* To explore out of court settlement where there are litigations;

* To suggest new areas for layout plans where the affected indigenes will be resettled;

* To ensure commitment from all aggrieved parties and stockholders through direct discussions and negotiation in order to gain their confidence, and

* To consider any other matter that would assist the Administration in tackling the problems identified.

Responding on behalf of the committee members, the Solicitor General and Chairperson of the Committee, Mrs. Helen Oloja, commended the minister for her commitment towards resolving the Apo Resettlement quandary.

She assured the minister that the members would work towards accomplishing the terms of reference and ultimately proffer a lasting solution on the Apo Resettlement issue.

The AMAC chairman also expressed the determination of members of the committee to tackle the problem once and for all.