FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, on Sunday, urged members of the Dei-Dei building materialsand adjoining markets’ communities to continue to maintain the peace followingthe unfortunate fracas that occurred last week.
The Minister who was represented by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, appealed forsustenance of the prevailing peace in the affected areas, and prayed for therepose of the souls of the deceased.
Stressing that an environment of peace and tranquility was very important for development, theMinister admonished the entire FCT residents to see themselves as a big unitedfamily and should work towards the attainment of a common objective of peacedevelopment.
He said: “It’sour prayer that God would not allow this to happen again. The peace that we arebuilding on, let’s continue to sustain it because it is very important for us.
“Just as we have seen, we are one. Wehave one objective, so let us build on it.
Addressing therelations of the deceased victims, Mr Olusade said “No matter what we give you,it cannot replace the lost lives. But we believe that the little token will, atleast, show that the FCT loves you, feels your pains and shares with you inthis period of sorrow. We pray to God that we will not see this type ofsituation again.
The Minister notedthat Dei-Dei houses a major building materials market that attracts people fromother states, decrying that shutting it down was in no one’s benefit but wasimperative for restoration of peace.
According to him,reopening the market would be looked into considering the prevailing peace inthe area. He charged residents to be mindful of those who wish to fomenttrouble in their midst and report them to security agencies.
The FCT thanked the Sarkin Jiwa, HRH Dr. (Alhaji) Idris Musa for his usually timely interventions, support and fatherly role.
HRHDr. Idris Musa, while speaking earlier, commended all parties involved forgiving peace a chance and agreeing to continue to live together in harmony. He however blamedthe social media for the escalation of the crisis.
The royal father equally called for peace and asked them to avoid any action ordiscussions that would cause problem among the people.
Representatives of the affected groups of traders regretted the mayhem and loss of lives and property, and pledged to return tothe old peaceful way they had related in the market before the sadincident.
They also thanked the FCT Minister for responding to the crisis in time to avert further losses.
Also present at the event were the Chairman AMAC, Abdullahi Candido, FCT Police Commissioner, Babaji Sunday, Secretary Area Council Service Secretariat IbrahimAbubakar Dantsoho, Director, Department of Human Resources, Dr Bashir Muhammedand other senior official of the FCTA, Security agencies and community leaders of Dei-Dei.
