Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister of state, Ramatu Tijjani-Aliyu, has expressed concern over what she described as total neglect of projects in the Area Councils of the Territory.
Aliyu, who made this known while on tour of facilities at Kuje Area Council, specifically expressed worry over the dilapidating state of Kuje mini stadium, describing it as one of the “non-existence projects” in the Council.
She however, reiterated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration drive towards completion of all abandoned projects, stressing that the FCT Administration may consider the option of Public, Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to complete some of the identified projects.
The Minister also advocated for adequate funding of the Area Councils so as to decongest the city centre, noting that the tour of facilities was to identity areas of urgent needs.
According to her, “as far as I am concern, the Kuje stadium is non-existence because it has not been put to effective use in the past five years. The entrance has been overtaken by refuse dump and no sporting activities are taking place in the main stadium.
“We are going to build shops at the entrance of the stadium, and that will discourage people from dumping their waste right by the side of the stadium. We are even considering the option of PPP arrangement to achieve this because if the stadium is put to effective use, some of our youths will be meaningfully engaged.
“Basically, we are focusing on completion of abandoned projects in the Area Councils and that is the essence of the tour. President Muhammadu Buhari’s mandate is to complete all abandoned projects.”
She advised residents of the council to imbibe the culture of sanitation and to be security conscious within their domains, stressing that security is a collective responsibility.
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While in Kuje Women Development Centre, the Minister ordered for immediate use of the centre by the Social Development Secretariat, noting that some of the equipment are not put to use.
Earlier, chairman of Kuje Area Council, Suleiman Sabo said despite the paucity of funds, the Council has in the past six months been able to empower the youths of the area through provision of entrepreneurial tools, provision of functional and effective free healthcare delivery system, among others.
Sabo, however, sought stronger collaboration with the FCT Administration to boost its revenue drive in order to augment the federal allocation.
On the recent incidences of kidnapping and robbery experienced in the Council, he said his administration is not resting on its oars with support from security agencies in collaboration with the FCTA to curb insecurity in the council, adding that his administration is specifically working hard to stop the insistent attacks and kidnapping in Pegi community.
He stressed that as an agrarian community, there was need for the provision of accessible roads to move farm produce to other parts of the FCT.
Receiving the Minister in his palace, the Gomo of Kuje, Haruna Jibrin commended the administration for the developmental strides recorded across the satellite towns.
Jibrin called for the completion of Kuje-Apo road, rehabilitation of Kuje to Airport expressway, construction of the Kuje to Rubochi and Abaji road, Kuje township roads, construction of Usumo Water Dam as well as the construction of an additional General Hospital in Kuje.
He noted that the inspection tour embarked by the minister is an indication of the high political will of the current FCT administration towards the completion of ongoing projects, stressing that the visit will also revive the people’s confidence in the present Administration.
