I will not embark on new projects for now —FCT Minister
By; Evelyn Dadu, Abuja.
Street Beggars and hawkers, poor condition of available education and health facilities, poorly maintained roads, blocked water and sewer line, poor waste management, difficulties with water supply and a litany of uncompleted projects topped the list of challenges in Abuja, but the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello has assured that he will not embark on any new project until these issues are addressed.
“We do not intend to embark on huge new projects that do not have meaningful multiplier effects on residents. Our priority in the short run, therefore, will be the completion of ongoing projects as may be appropriately reviewed”, he said.
The Minister, who gave the assurance Monday, in Abuja, said his overriding goal as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory was to make the quality of life more meaningful for the residents of the city.
Explaining further, the Minister said projects of immediate attention will include Satellite Towns in which his administration will target development of affordable mass housing schemes and infrastructure in partnership with the private sector to address the acute shortage of houses for low-income earners residing in the capital territory.
Expressing optimism he said, “this will have the added multiplier effect of reinvigorating the economy and creating employment opportunities in the satellite towns”.
He said, the acute problem of traffic congestion faced by commuters in many locations will receive immediate attention through an expedited completion and opening of more feeder roads like the Apo-Karshi-Ara road to provide alternative route into the city and to ease congestion at the Nyanya-Mararaba axis while ensuring completion of the ongoing road projects with the capital city.
With the view to improving cleanliness in the city, the Minister said in the next three months, the Abuja Environment Protection Board (AEPB) will be carrying out its statutory duties of removing all illegal and environmentally hazardous structures and enforce all sanitation rules and regulations on street begging and hawking, even as he re-echoed that commercial motorcyclists popularly know as Okada Riders remain banned in the Federal Capital City.
