Movement around the Abuja International Conference Center, ICC, will be restricted between Monday, February 20, to Wednesday, 15th March 2023, to allow for maximum security for officials on election duties at the venue.
The FCT Administration announced that the landmark event centre which will serve as the National Collation Centre for the general elections, will also be out of use for all other events during that period.
The decision was taken during a meeting between officials of the FCT Administration led by the Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, and a delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, at the FCTA Secretariat.
Adesola explained that with this arrangement, the International Conference Centre will be handed over to INEC throughout the period, with the commission serving as the only statutory body to give clearance for the movement in -and out of the International Conference Centre.
For safe and conducive use of the facility, the Permanent Secretary said, “FCT Administration will also ensure a stable power supply to the area, fumigate the environment, clean, and maintain the vicinity, improve external lighting, and cancel all events within the period.
“Accordingly, the Permanent Secretary during the meeting directed the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, AMMC, and the Parks and Recreation Department to forthwith, close all Parks around the area to enable security agencies to fortify the area to ward off any unauthorized access.”
The Permanent Secretary appealed to residents with residential houses around the ICC to show understanding, insisting that it is a national duty.
Responding, the National Commissioner, Legal Services, May Agbamuche-Mba, who led the INEC delegation lauded the proactive measures taken by the FCT Administration; saying that “indeed, the job of INEC is made easier.”