FCTA Pledges Adequate Basic Amenities For Rural Communities

By: Salamatu Aminu & Sunday Shekwonya

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has pledged to provide basic social amenities in the rural communities across the six Area Councils of the Territory.

Accordingly, the provision of the basic amenities is aimed at improving the standard of living of all the residents of the Territory in spite of where they dwell.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Wike, made this pledge while addressing stakeholders during the Inspection Tour of Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) at Dukpa, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja.

The Minister said the NG-CARES Programme, which is directed at supporting and expanding access to livelihood, provides food security services.

“This is intended to provide grants for poor and vulnerable households, communities and firms through empowerment programmes,” he added.

The Minister, who was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public Private Partnership (EPRG&PPP), FCTA, Mr. Wadata Bodinga Aliyu, reiterated that the Federal Capital Territory Administration is committed to both human and infrastructural development across the six Area Councils to better the lives of the residents.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Alternative Director of the World Bank, Angola and South African Constituency, Dr. Zainab Ahmed, who led the tour, expressed the commitment of the World Bank to providing more funds to the vulnerable communities to better the livelihood of the common man.

The General Manager (GM), of the FCT Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), Engr. Obinna Okafor, who also addressed the stakeholders, assured that the FCT Administration in collaboration with the World Bank is committed to elevate millions of youth from abject poverty through empowerment and skill acquisitions for self development.

The General Manager explained that the NG-CARES programme is aimed at improving the standard of living, as well as the socio-economic lives of the beneficiaries, which according to him, began since July, 2022 to relief the effect of COVID-19 on the people living in various communities across the federation.
His words: “The NG-CARES is a programme set to develop communities through provision of basic infrastructures, entrepreneurial skills, environmental management, social development and reduction of risk of accidents around and within our communities and so on.”

He assured the FCT Administration and the residents of the nation’s capital of sustainable community projects through community driven development.