Area councils get N1.464bn federal allocation

FCT minister, Muhammad Bello, has directed the chairmen of the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory to immediately commence payment of the October salaries owed staff.

The minister gave the directive after the FCT Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting following the disbursement of the sum of N1,464,071,850.48 monies accruing from the Federation Account for October 2015.

Bello, who was represented by Babatope Ajakaiye, FCT permanent secretary, at the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting held in Abuja, advised the chairmen to ensure that no staff was allowed to suffer unduly, stressing that staff salaries were expected to be paid as at when due.

He warned that this allocation is not meant for the award of contracts but to pay salaries owed the staff of the Area Councils.

He said: “Henceforth, all allocations to the Area Councils will be published in Abuja Digest, a weekly publication of the FCT Administration for all stakeholders to see in line with the change mantra of this government.”

The minister, who urged the workers to be patient, assured that efforts would be made to ensure that their November and December salaries are paid on time.

On sanitation, the Minister appealed to the FCT Administration officials in charge of environmental issues to devise ways of sustaining the present efforts.

He instructed such Departments and Agencies to sensitise the residents on the need to keep their environment clean and desist from disposing refuse indiscriminately.