In his new year message to the residents, Bello urged them to stand together in resisting any attempts at creating disaffection among them.
The minister pointed out that elections in the FCT had always been peaceful, and he urged everyone to work for a similarly tranquil result in the upcoming 2023 polls.
” On behalf of the FCT Administration, it is my honour and immense pleasure to wish all residents of the Federal Capital Territory a very happy and prosperous New Year.
” As we begin our journey into 2023, which holds a very important place in the democratic development of our country, I wish to applaud residents of the territory for your exemplary conduct in our collective quest of building a befitting capital territory for our country.”
He praised the residents for remaining united in their peaceful coexistence, which he said was a cornerstone of FCT culture.
” In my 2022 New Year message, I enjoined residents of the territory to participate actively in the Area Council elections. I once more commend you all for abiding by the democratic and lawful processes in the election of the council chairmen.
” Once again, I call on all of us, in the same spirit of peace, unity and togetherness, to participate in the 2023 general elections coming up next month.”
Bello said that the residents were duty-bound to live up to the ideals of Nigeria's founding fathers by making their territory a place where every Nigerian could call home.
” We must therefore, collectively resist any attempt to cause disharmony and disaffection within our ranks. Elections in the FCT have always been peaceful. Let us ensure that the upcoming 2023 polls also reflect this.
” In the preceding year, the FCT Administration consolidated on its efforts of providing world class infrastructure for the territory with efforts to complete on-going projects and investing heavily in the maintenance and upgrading of existing ones.
” It is to our credit that despite the heavy rainfalls and attendant floods that devastated several parts of the country, we were largely spared this misfortune. This is because, having learnt from our experiences in the past, adequate measures were taken to prevent any such re-occurrence.”
Bello praised the residents for their cooperation despite being inconvenienced by the remedial measures, and called on them to continue supporting and cooperating with government efforts.
The minister appealed to the residents' sense of civic responsibility in helping remove illegally constructed buildings and settlements from the city, both for security reasons and because such structures undermined Abuja's overall planning efforts.
” It must be understood that these corrective measures are absolutely essential if truly our city is to evolve into one of the most aesthetically pleasing and functional cities in the world.
” The presence of illegal settlements and shanties will only draw us further away from attaining this goal.
” Fellow residents, we are confronted daily with the unwholesome and unpatriotic activities of vandals who wantonly destroy or steal public infrastructure installed by government at great cost.
” Replacing or repairing these critical infrastructure cost a lot of money which otherwise would have been invested in other equally essential projects.”
Therefore, he exhorted residents to treat critical public infrastructure as they would their personal property and help protect all assets located near them.
He praised the security agencies of FCT for their tremendous work in ensuring that lives and property were kept safe during the past few months, as crime rates had dropped.
” Some of these gallant men and women who have seen to this possibility have even paid the ultimate price in the course of discharging their responsibilities.
” I wish to reassure them of the continuous support of the Administration as demonstrated with the provision of 60 high-capacity vehicles in addition to accompanying security and communication equipment last year.
” We will continue to support them in every way possible and also enjoin the citizenry to cooperate with our law enforcement agencies whenever the need arises.”
He reminded the residents that it was their responsibility to maintain security and stressed the importance of “if you see something, say something.”
Despite ever-increasing population and the territory's dwindling financial resources, Bello said that the FCT Administration was committed to sustaining growth and development.
He added that the administration was developing new methods of meeting financial obligations in light of greater demands.
” The creation of the Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public Private Partnership Secretariat and the upscaling of the functions of the FCT IRS are but two of the measures taken to shore up our revenue base to meet our needs.
” Residents are therefore enjoined to also play their part by being up to date in the payment of their taxes to enable us to continue to serve you better.
” Fellow residents, I wish to assure you that over the next five months heralding the end of the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the FCT Administration will not relent in its efforts of ensuring the development of the territory and the well-being of its residents.
” I once more wish you all a happy and prosperous 2023.”
