The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in collaboration with the Security Agencies recovered vandalized public items worth over N1 billion from the recent raids on Pantekar Markets in Abuja.
This disclosure was made by the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Felix Obuah, during a meeting with officials of the pantaker markets’ operators in his office, Friday.
The Coordinator recalled that the FCT Security Committee chaired by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, earlier in January, announced a two-week suspension of operation of all pantaker markets in the Territory.
His words: “Public items worth more than N1 billion were recovered during a recent raid on some pantaker markets by the Police and other security agencies with lots of disturbing disclosures”.
Based on this strength, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and security agencies in the FCT have concluded arrangements to commence profiling of panteker markets and operators in Abuja.
He said: “Therefore, the FCT Administration and security agencies have decided that all pantaker operators must be registered and profiled. This will enable us to identify the genuine ones and determine who is doing what, how and where.”
“This will also ensure effective monitoring and regulation of pantaker activities by both security agencies, Abuja Market Management Ltd and AMMC,” he said.
Obuah explained that the profiling was necessary for effective monitoring and regulation of the operations of all pantaker markets and operators in the FCT; adding that it would ensure only legitimate ones operate in the Territory.
He stressed that the move would also curb the menace of vandalism in the nation’s capital.
The AMMC Coordinator added that the pantaker operators were also required to register their buyers, and supplies.
We want to know who and who supplies you what; who and who are you selling to? Let us have such a register for our record and for security action where necessary”, he reiterated.
Urging them to inform security agencies whenever any suspicious item is brought to them for sale, Obuah warned that anyone found with stolen or vandalised items would be arrested and prosecuted.
Corroborating the Coordinator, Director, Security Services Department, FCTA, Adamu Gwary, stated that only pantaker operators profiled by the FCTA would be allowed to re-open.
On his part, FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, revealed that the profiling exercise would begin February 1st.
He decried that it was a disgrace that residents were vandalizing facilities provided for them; vowing that the security agencies would not rest till they stop the menance.
National Chairman, Pantaker Operators, Alhaji Abbas Bello, in his response, pledged full support of the operators to the exercise.
He noted that there were criminal elements masquerading as pantaker operators in FCT; adding that the exercise would help to remove the bad eggs among them.
Corroborating the Coordinator, Director, Security Services Department, FCTA, Adamu Gwary, stated that only pantaker operators profiled by the FCTA would be allowed to re-open.
On his part, FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, revealed that the profiling exercise would begin February 1st.
He decried that it was a disgrace that residents were vandalizing facilities provided for them; vowing that the security agencies would not rest till they stop the menance.
National Chairman, Pantaker Operators, Alhaji Abbas Bello, in his response, pledged full support of the operators to the exercise.
He noted that there were criminal elements masquerading as pantaker operators in FCT; adding that the exercise would help to remove the bad eggs among them.
