The Federal Government on Thursday urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to secure and protect projects in their areas for a safe and healthy environment as well as effective sustainability.
The President, Mohammadu Buhari, gave the advice at the inauguration and handing over of erosion control and road improvement work at Kurudu and Angwan Gwari Karshi, in Abuja.
Rep. Abubakar Nalaraba, Member of, House of Representative Committee on Pilgrimage who represented the President, said that the community should guard and adequately maintain the project for a healthy living.
Buhari said that the Federal Government’s intervention is to ensure that the erosion problem which the communities were experiencing in recent times was tackled.
“Today, the inauguration and handing over of these projects must be commended as it will offer the communities an opportunity to take ownership of the projects in ensuring its security, maintenance, and sustainability.
“I, therefore, call on everyone in these communities to see the projects as their own and guard them jealously.
“They should also prevent the misuse of the projects such as filling the drainage system with debris and refuse that could lead to another flooding or erosion,” he said.
Buhari said that the Federal Government executed the projects through the Ecological Fund Office (EFO), under the auspices of the 5th additional ecological intervention, approved by the Federal Government for the third and fourth quarters in 2019.
He said the projects, awarded by EFO in 2020, are expected to address the devastating effects of erosion and flood menace in the communities.
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He said that the projects would also enhance and improve the health status, socio-economic activities, and well-being of the communities.
Dr. Habiba Lawal, Permanent Secretary, EFO, said that the projects were constructed by Messrs Teamwork Construction and Engineering Services Ltd., and Consultant Messrs Infinity Design and Construction Nigeria Ltd.
Lawal, represented by Mr. Felix Okeke, Director, Flood Erosion and Soil Control of EFO, thanked the consultant, contractor, and the communities for their effort at ensuring that the projects were a success.
These points were echoed by the Minister of the FCT, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, who was represented by Mr. Abubakar Candido, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Bello warned the residents to avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, describing as real, climate change which demands the protection of the environment.
