The FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello has assured the residents and business owners in Idu Industrial Zone of adequate security.
Mr Bello gave the assurance when he led the FCT Security Task Force, represented by the Commissioner of Police and heads of various security agencies to assess the level of destruction by hoodlums at the Idu Industrial layout, on Wednesday in Abuja.
“I have gone round the Idu Industrial Layout of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in company of the Abuja branch Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) with the support of the FCT security task force represented by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma and other heads of various security agencies in FCT.
”We have visited a number of factories and warehouses that were hoodlums attacked in the last 48 hours. We have seen the enormity of the destruction.
”We have also visited other factories that were not attacked and we realised the extent of the investment that is available here.
“It is very important, now going forward we are going to work with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure that Idu Industrial zone is protected.
”Particularly because it is the economic nerve centre of the city and it is also a centre where hundreds or probably thousands of people are employed.
”We have also with us his Royal Highness the Chief of Jiwa, who is in charge of this area.
“We have discussed, we have gone round and now we will go into communities and start engaging with them to ensure that this kind of thing never happens again,” Mr Bello said.
Also speaking, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ciroma, said:”the police will put a stop to the looting and acts of vandalism in the area.
”The task force and security agencies will deploy a patrol team in the areas. We also realised that there is need for us to ensure that other investment that were not affected this time around and properly secured.”
On his part, the Emir of Jiwa, Musa Idris, described the incident as ”very unfortunate and a great lost to the country”.
The monarch used the occasion to warn the youth in his domain to shun such ugly act and actions that are capable of undermining peace and harmony in the area.
”If you pinch yourself and feel pain, when you pinch somebody he will feel the same thing.”
Speaking, Odun Emasealu, Branch Chairman of the MAN, expressed delight with the visit of the FCT minister to the industrial zone of the city.
”As manufacturers we invested a lot a and do so much to keep commerce going.
”To now know that we have the support of the FCT Administration and they actually care. In fact when the looting was going on the minister was in touch with us, calling more than 15 times to ensure that we are at peace.
”And today he has come to see for himself. For us this is a big encouragement for us the manufacturers and we will keep investing to employ many youths and create peaceful environment for us to leave,” Mr Emasealu said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that hoodlums attacked the industrial area of the territory, destroyed many properties belonging to different private manufacturing companies in the area.
NAN
