By SALISU SANI-IDRIS
ABUJA- The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has mandated the use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) in all public premises within the Federal Capital City and the whole of the territory to curb insecurity.
The Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Mr Umar Shuaibu, made the disclosure at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.
Shuaibu vowed, “henceforth, mandatory use of CCTV would be included in the requirements for building approval in the nation’s capital.”
The coordinator also said that officers of the council would be going round the city to enforce compliance with the directive.
He expressed optimism that the use of CCTV would help the security agencies in fighting crimes and criminality in the territory.
” We have made announcements and we are making sure that we implement the decision to the later.
“Our major decision now is to make sure and we are going to inform everybody within the city and the entire territory to ensure that all public places have CCTV.
” There must be CCTV in all public premises in the FCT as from now and we will ensure the enforcement of this very important decision which is a of national security.
” When all areas are well covered, we believe we are going to moniitor activities in the city via the CCTV.
” And it will tremendously help the security agencies in fighting crime and criminality in the territory,” Shuaibu said.
Similarly, the coordinator emphasised the need for all public buildings to provide effective fire fighting equipment in the territory.
” This one is there in the provision for the approval of buildings in Abuja. You must have it before you will be allowed to build in Abuja,” he said.
Also, the FCTA’s Director, Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, said: ” We are all living witnesses to the issues of crime and criminality and as a responsible administration, we have to review our process and procedures.
” And one way that we could curtail the issue of criminality is using the provision of Urban and Regional Planning Law for the Department of Development Control, because this is part of global best practices.
” Part of our Development Control Guideline is that in your new submission, you must make provision for CCTV.
“This is to ensure that nefarious activities could be detected, and where necessary, action will be taken by relevant security agencies,”he said.
Galadima added that the affected public buildings include: Offices, commercial buildings, hospitals, schools and anywhere that the general public gather and transact businesses.
” It could also be public places like motor parks, recreational parks, football fields and all public places, so CCTV cameras should be installed, so that activities of the men of the underworld could be monitored.
” However, we have given time limit, thereafter, we will start going round to monitor compliance level, as it is something that we can’t just start and expect results immediately.
” We have to engage, sensitise, and thereafter monitor compliance, that is what we are doing now.” (NAN)
