The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has approved the removal of the Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Baba Shehu Lawan and his replacement by Mrs Oluwatoyin Omolola Olanipekun.
Bello also approved the removal of all heads of departments as well as heads of units under the board and directed their deputies to take charge.
The minister made the changes after meeting with the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr Babatope Ajakaiye, and the former management team of the AEPB on Thursday in Abuja.
He also directed the Director of FCT Establishment and Training, who was in attendance at the meeting, to issue appointment letters to the new appointees.
He warned that his administration would not tolerate lackadaisical attitude to work.
The minister said that many things were not done properly in the board and urged the new team to work to change the tide immediately.
He also urged them to work to rid Abuja of filth, street beggars, street hawkers and all other environmental abuses.
Bello said that the former director and his management team should ensure all handing over processes were completed by Friday, May 27.
The minister directed that the former management team of the board be constituted into a Special Task Force on the Recovery of N9.8 billion Debt owed AEPB.
Bello also directed that the special task force, to be headed by the former director of the board, had eight weeks to recover the funds into FCT Administration’s coffers.
At the meeting, the minister also approved the appointment of retired Sqr. Ldr. Abdullahi Adamu to head a special team of 200 security personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The special team is to assist in the enforcement of environmental laws in Abuja.
Bello was, however, quick to warn the new management and special teams to conduct their duties within the ambit of the law.
He also warned that the FCT Administration would not tolerate any act of abuse of fundamental human rights of the residents in the discharge of their duties.
He urged them to diligently carry out their jobs by following and applying the laws and due processes.
The new Acting Director, Mrs Oluwatoyin Omolola Olanipekun, was before her appointment, the Deputy Director, Environmental Degradation & Development Monitoring in the Abuja Environmental Protection Board. (NAN)
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