FCTA to take disciplinary action over unauthorized schools closure

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT), has issued a stern warning that officials responsible for the unauthorized closure of schools in the FCT will face severe disciplinary action in accordance with Civil Service rules.
FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike gave the warning while addressing journalists shortly after inspecting the ongoing provision of infrastructure in Guzape II District in Abuja.
He expressed shock and disappointment over the unauthorized notice of school closure issued by officials of the FCTA Education Secretariat, adding that the Mandate Secretary for Education, Danlami Hayyo was already on an indefinite suspension following the incident.
He said: “I was watching the television last night and I saw a news scroll that the FCTA had directed that schools should be shut down and I couldn’t believe it.
“I had to call the Mandate Secretary of Education and of course he couldn’t reply.
“I even got to know that a circular was issued to all the schools without our approval.”
The minister emphasized that security agencies were working round the clock to ensure the safety of lives and property in the nation’s capital and wondered why such an order would be issued to close schools without authorization.
“You can imagine how people will take such a decision without the head of the place knowing. It’s unfortunate.
“Heads have to roll. We will not forgive anybody who is involved in this”, he stated.
He however, dismissed the suggestion that the action was taken as a precaution, stating that he, being the Minister, could not even take such a decision without informing the President.
According to him, the Directors involved in the decision will be sanctioned according to Civil Service rules.
Meanwhile, wpeaking on the infrastructure development drive in Guzape II District (Cadastral Zone A11), Wike reaffirmed the commitment of the Administration to completing inherited projects to expand the city and facilitate development.
He also explained that the Guzape II project, awarded six years ago, had been stalled due to lack of funding, adding that its completion is vital to enable plot owners to begin construction.
“Most of the jobs you see us doing are jobs that have been awarded years back before the inception of this administration in 2023. The government thought it fit in order to expand Abuja”, he stated.
He also revealed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had awarded the contract for the provision of infrastructure in Maitama II, a project that had also been stalled for years, causing property owners to lack access to their land.
The minister therefore assured that owners of any existing structure affected by the ongoing construction exercise would be duly compensated and relocated in line with the policy of the FCT Administration.