Dec. 8, 2021 (NAN)

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, says it will be mandatory for estates in the territory to deploy CCTV cameras with recording facilities in all estates.

Bello stated this at the commissioning of the Cosgrove Smart Estate, Wuye, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT minister, Mr Anthony Ogunleye on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the move was part of efforts to secure lives and property of residents in the nation’s capital.

He said that it would equally be mandatory for all estates in the territory to deploy solar lights on their perimeter fences and along streets within estates.

Bello said that emphasis would be placed on ensuring that estates were managed properly with greater emphasis on security and the environment.

“Our focus will be ensuring that estates are managed properly to the benefit of the residents.

“Accordingly, greater emphasis will be placed on security and environmental matters.

“It will be made mandatory for every estate in the FCT to deploy CCTV cameras with recording facilities and solar lights on perimeter fences and along the streets in the estates.

“Furthermore, no scavengers will be allowed to be refuse collectors within estates. Each estate is expected to employ the services of reputable companies registered by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board.

“I wish to remind estate developers that 40 per cent of the FCT is intended to be green. This is even more critical now as we battle climate change,’’ he said.

The minister called on estate owners to make adequate provisions for gardens and parks, plant enough trees, shrubs and flowers.

Bello said provision of gardens, parks and plant were not only for the aesthetics of the city, but also for key environmental reasons within the estates.

The minister stressed that growth and development of indigenous companies was invaluable to the advancement of the nation’s local construction industry and its economic progress.

Bello pledged the FCTA’s commitment and support for investors in the sector and innovations that fell within the overall development of the nation’s capital.

He congratulated Cosgrove Investment Ltd. and its Chief Executive Officer, Umar Abdullahi for pioneering construction of “Smart Estates” in the FCT.

The minister said that the housing sub sector in the FCT was the most dynamic and vibrant in the entire country.

“Especially with the active participation of the private sector, that deployed world class designs, new building technologies and innovations in their work.” (NAN)