By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), natives under the umbrella of Gbagyi/Gbari Youth Association FCT Chapter has placed a 9-point request to the Minister, Nyesom Wike to among other things, consider 60 percent of the indigenes as permanent secretaries.
At a press briefing in Abuja addressed on behalf of the natives by Elisha Yakubu, a member of the Board of Trustees of Gbagyi/Gbari Youth Association FCT, demanded for a review of the city’s master plan to accommodate the indigenous population.
They again demanded that the FCT Minister should make an FCT indigene the Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission (CSC) and that the position of Secretary be given to youth of the FCT for the sake of fairness, equity and justice.
The press briefing was titled: “FCT Indigene Concerns Over The Proposed Appointments Of Nine Permanent Secretaries”.
The natives were grateful to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister, Wike for their efforts to democratise the FCT.
They said as responsible citizens who had peacefully hosted the nation’s capital, it was only fair and just for them as a people to be included in the scheme of things as they had no other place to call home like other Nigerians.
Yakubu said: “We therefore make the following demands, that we be given two Mandate Secretary slots from each area council to add to the present number of secretaries for efficient administration
“The FCT minister should constitute an advisory council which will consist of our stakeholders and others. The appointment of permanent secretaries, 60 per cent should come from area councils who must be indigenes of the council. We have no other place to go.
“That FCT indigenes be considered for the slots of the 12 vacant FCT High Court Judges at hand.
“We also demand a review of the master plan of FCT to accommodate the indigenous population as we no longer need resettlement but rather integration for Urban Renewal Development.
“It is on record that since General JT Useini upgraded our traditional rulers in 1998 till date, they have remained on the same level while their counterparts in other states have been elevated. On this note, we demand the promotion and creation of more chiefdom in the FCT”.
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