FCTA approves N2.18bn Microsoft license, bulldozers contracts for FCT-IRS, AMMC

• …Rectifies 4,794 land titles revocation

Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

The Executive Committee of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has approved the total of N2,183,399,860 as contracts award sum for the procurement of Microsoft 365 license for the FCT-IRS, and earth-moving machines and other equipment for the Department of Development Control under Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) respectively.

It was gathered that while the earth-moving equipment was awarded in favor of Matrak Nigerian Limited in the tune of N1,940,572,410 with a due period of three weeks; the Microsoft 365 license was awarded at the tune of N242,827,450.

Also, the FCT Exco rectified the recent revocation of land titles over unpaid ground rents and one other issues that affecting the operation of FCT.

These were revealed yesterday, at the end of the 13th session of the Executive committee meeting of the FCT under the chairmanship of the Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Briefing the press on the outcome of the meeting, the Chief of Staff to the FCT minister, Chidi Amadi, explained that out of four memorandums submitted, two were just for ratifications, and two were for full approval for fresh award of contracts.

Also speaking, AMMC Coordinator, Felix Obuah, noted that with the approval for the purchase of the earth-moving equipment, it will ease the work of the Development Control under the Council.

He said: “The equipment we are purchasing with this amount includes SIM card wheel loader, Caterpillar wheel loader 950 GC 1, Excavator 320 GS 1, Caterpillar excavator 323 1, And Dozar D6 D6 1.

“Total equipment of 5 Caterpillar earth moving equipment for the Development Control.

“They are for the overall interest of AMMC to enable us to perfect our job for the interest of our city.”

On his part, the Acting Chairman, FCT Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Michael Ango, said ithe procumbent of the Microsoft 365 license is one of investments in technology that the FCT is undertaking to enhance the tax system in the territory.

“The license we have procured today will enhance our ability to move most of our manual processes into automated processes.

“It will enhance our ability to communicate within our offices, reduce the use of paper, and also ensure that we’re able to have better records, store our information, our documents in the cloud, and essentially to enhance our operations.

“And I believe that this memo, as approved today, will further aid us to generate revenue for the development of the FCT under the able leadership of His Excellency, the Honorable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike.”

Not left out, FCT Director of Land,, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze explain that the recent revocation of Abuja 4,794 land titles over unpaid ground rents, didn’t affect everyone, as it affected only people who have not paid as from 10 years and above.

He disclosed that most of the revoked titles are the 10 oldest districts in phase one, all of which are fully serviced with the engineering infrastructure and other services.

He noted that these are monies that the administration uses to provide infrastructure and make life worth its while in those districts.

“So, if the government has fulfilled its part of the obligation by providing those facilities and amenities, you, a leasehold person, is not doing your own part of the bargain, it will be difficult for the city to be managed.

“We implore everyone who has not paid, not just in the A districts, that’s the phase one districts, to please go and pay because who will be coming to do the same thing in the phase two districts.

“So, Gudu, Utako, Mabushi, Jabi, Daki-biyu, Katampe, Katampe Extension, and all of those districts, Kado, will soon be coming to them. So please, everybody should go and pay his ground rent.

“I also want to remind you that that’s not the only obligation you have under the grant. You also need to pay your right of occupancy bills and get your certificates”, he stated.