By Sadiq Abubakar, Abuja.

The minister of the FCT, Muhammad Musa Bello, has called on public office holders in the FCT administration to be disciplined and remain focused while discharging the responsibilities of their offices.

Bello, stated this during the closing ceremony of the 3 day retreat for political appointees of the FCT administration ( FCTA), in Abuja last Friday.

“Public office, requires tremendous amount of discipline and as political office holders, you will find that most of that discipline has to come from your inner self” he said.

He advised the participants to imbibe the ability to resist the pressures from relations and associates to compromise their integrity and flaunt public service rules especially, procurement processes and the acceptance of gifts.

He also called on the participants to open gift registers to document all gifts offered, received and by whom in full compliance with the extant rules and regulations.

He also reminded them that they were liable in the eyes of the law for all their actions while in public office, even as he commended the permanent secretary and other senior officials of the FCT administration for the well-organized retreat and participation by high profile and well qualified resource persons.

Also speaking, the FCT permanent secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, said that in the course of the retreat, participants considered various aspects of the FCTA, including government rules and regulations and also did a deep dive into the 13 goal mandate as handed down to the FCTA by Mr President.

Mr Adesola, further revealed that it took a close look at where the FCTA currently stood in delivering on those mandates and how the political appointees can be most effective in ensuring the FCTA meets its objectives in those regards.

He also said that the retreat met its goals as it has enabled the participants to further equip themselves for more efficient and effective service delivery.

He revealed that all presentations, discussions and resolutions will be available on a micro-site from which relevant officials of the administration can easily make references should the need arise.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr Shehu Hadi Ahmed, said that the retreat had immensely benefitted his organisation, as presentations from resource persons had further built the capacity of government officials.

He said the retreat has also led to a better understanding of what to do in situations such as procurement in emergency situations, variations in contract execution amongst others.

The Director, Department of Human Resources Management of the FCTA, Dr Bashir Mohammed, said the administration expectation is to ensure there is improved changes in the conduct and performance of its officials.

Also speaking, the lead consultant to the retreat, Prof Olusegun Olasope, commended the FCT administration for its efforts in building the capacity of its officials and expressed optimism that in the coming months, positive changes should be expected from the officials in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Our correspondent report that the last day of the retreat also featured presentations from the Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque, Dr Mohammed Kabir and the Chairman of the FCT Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Dr Samson Jonah, who both called on participants to always remember that they were ultimately accountable to God in the discharge of their duties.

The closing ceremony also featured the presentation of certificates to participants.