FCT Social Development Secretariat says it has so far evacuated 789 beggars, mentally sick and other social miscreants from the street between 2015 to 2017 in Abuja.
Acting Secretary, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Mrs Irene Elegbede, made this known on Monday in Abuja at a news briefing on two years in office of the present administration.
According to her, majority of these numbers were repatriated back to their respective neighbouring states after proper profiling and rehabilitation.
She said over 400 persons received routine counselling services, 300 aged and elderly persons received medical outreach, in addition to five capacity building programmes conducted for clients.
“Regular provision of maternal material support for indigent persons upon delivery across the 15 government hospitals in the territory.
“30 wheel chairs were given to 15 hospitals, 11 indigent and vulnerable persons received wheel chairs and walking aids.
“Establishment of food court at Area 3 as empowerment programme to reduce unemployment and take off the streets of the territory indiscriminate food hawkers and vendors as part of the achievements,” she said.
Enumerating other areas of achievements, the acting secretary noted that under the department of gender development, 25 private adoptions were carried out, 42 children were handed over to their foster parents.
“Under the same department, 22 children were united with their families, 150 family disputes were amicably resolved, 60 women were trained in different skills acquisition and monitored to ensure compliance.
“Prompt payment of subvention to four Children’s Homes as funds are released, donation of school desks and chairs to Jabi Primary School and Zuba Women Development Centre.
“Also, there has been donation of Home Economic Equipment to Centre for the Handicapped, Kuje, renovation of two Women Acquisition in Zuba and Gwagwalada,” she added.
Elegbede said there were series of training and sensitisation workshops for operators of Homes to enhance best practices in handling of children through FCT Children Parliament.
“Other achievements under the department include training and domestication of FCT Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Team. 2017 Family Day was also marked.
“This was marked on June 15, where over 127 residents of the territory received talks, free medical tests in various health cases, anti-malaria drugs and multivitamins,” she said.
At the sports department, the acting secretary said 15 gold, 12 silver and 28 bronze were won by the territory from many national competitions within the period under review.
Elegbede added that by July, FCT Women League will debut.
At the Arts and Culture Department, she said the department has participated in marking 2017 World Culture and Museum Day, 2016 National African Festival of Arts and Culture where they came 3rd after Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states.
She said some members at the Tourism Department visited Chinese, Thailand, Italian and Spanish Embassies to collaborate in the development of tourist sites in the FCT.
On Youth Development, Elegbede said N19 million power supply backlog, backlog of prize awards owed 76 Youth Corps members had been cleared among others.
NAN
