The FCT Executive Committee (EXCO) has approved the creation of a new unit which is expected to take custody of all street names and maintain them in accordance with international guiding statutes.

The FCT Minister, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, disclosed in Abuja last week that the creation of the new unit which would be under the Urban Affairs Department of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council was part of the decisions taken by the FCT EXCO in its meeting at Gwarinpa, Life-Camp, Abuja.

Modibbo also said that the EXCO has also approved that the Street Names Committee become a standing one to allow continuity; reiterating that the renaming of streets in the Federal Capital Territory would be continuous to give honor to whom honor is due.

He remarked that all those who have contributed to the development of the country before and after independence would surely be recognised to encourage the younger generation of Nigerians to emulate them.

The minister further stated that the new unit which is expected to be headed by an officer not less than Grade level 13 in the civil service, would automatically assume the position of the secretary of the Street Name Standing Committee.

Modibbo revealed that the EXCO directed that the new unit work closely with the Abuja Geographic Information Systems and the FCT Department of Facilities Management and Maintenance for better results.

"The new unit is to take inventory of all street names in the Federal Capital Territory and the broken ones be replaced immediately," he added.

The minister pointed out that input and nomination would be sought from the general public for subsequent street naming exercise in the Federal Capital Territory in order to carry them along to ensure that all those who have contributed to the national development in all spheres of human endeavor are recognised appropriately.

He stressed that the contribution made by any individual however small to the country, would be recognised and adequately rewarded; saying that it is the spirit of President Umaru Musa Yar'adua's administration.