Chapter 45
Reforms of the Federal Capital Territory Administration
Background
The Federal Capital Territory is faced with such issues as inadequate housing, infrastructure deficit, transportation problems that arise from bureaucratic bottlenecks in its administration.
Past Reform and Achievements
Prior to reforms in 2003–2006, the Federal Capital Territory was administered as a ministry known as Ministry of Federal Capital Territory (MFCT). To make the area befitting of a national capital, The Federal Capital Territory Applicable Laws of 1984 were codified as Cap F6 LFN 2004. Secretariats and Agencies of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which in 2010 set up a 17-Man Committee to chart a Roadmap for the Sustainable Development of the FCT, were established by Order 1 of 2004. The Department of Monitoring and Inspection was established in 2009
The achievements of the FCTA have included reduction of under-5 mortality rate to 60 per 1,000 children in 2010 from previous years’ 155 per 1,000 children. In 2014, maternal mortality rate dropped from the 378 for every 1,000 women 2010 level to 200 for every 1,000 women. Pupil-classroom ratio were reduced from 1:57 in 2010 to 1:40 in 2013; the accident rate from 35% in 2010 to 6% in 2013. Access to potable water increased from 40% in 2010 to 52% in 2014.
Challenges and Next Steps
The FCT Board of Internal Revenue should be strengthened to increase revenue generation. Traffic management should be invested in, to ease traffic logjams. The National Assembly should increase the pace of passing bills related to improving the FCT, which is faced, as the national capital of Nigeria, with increasing population pressure and shortage of amenities. Existing partnerships with the private sector and investors in the provision and development of infrastructure in the area should be strengthened; and collaborations sought. Public administration efficiency in the FCTA should be enhanced.