By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has pledged its support for better funding of traditional institutions in the city. Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi, made this promise during an interaction with the traditional council of the FCT in Abuja.
Agbedi acknowledged the critical role traditional rulers play in cultural preservation, security, conflicts resolution, and community development in governance. He praised their leadership in fostering peace and stability within the FCT and their invaluable contributions to local development.
The Committee also plans to explore the possibility of giving legislative backing to the five percent deduction from Area Councils funds for traditional institutions. Additionally, they will consider upgrading trade stools and creating more chiefdoms for effective functions.
However, Agbedi noted that the current financial framework does not explicitly provide for such allocations to traditional institutions. He explained that any allocation of funds will require legislative review and policy amendments to ensure compliance with existing financial regulations.
To address the concerns of traditional rulers, the Committee will liaise with relevant stakeholders to consider all avenues for creating provisions. They encouraged traditional councils to engage with Area Councils to discuss potential partnerships and initiatives that align with existing budgetary provisions.
Chairman of the FCT Traditional Council, HRH Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, highlighted the challenges faced by the council, including inadequate financing and lack of a legal framework. He appealed for the implementation of five percent of local government allocations for traditional rulers, as done by some states.
Some members of the Committee, including Hon. Jonathan Gwefwi and Hon. Inombek Abiante, expressed concerns about the handling of indigenous people in the FCT, particularly regarding resettlement from ancestral homes.
