Kingsley U.N. Chikwendu —
President Muhammadu Buhari has warned residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighbouring Nasarawa State against the constant indiscriminate dumping of refuse in their areas. Buhari gave the warning at the inauguration and handing over of three projects in the FCT and Nasarawa state.
The former military ruler who was represented by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, added that residents must ensure that they take ownership of the projects, striving towards maintenance of the projects by preventing filling drainage systems with debris and refuse that could lead to flooding or erosion, to ensure sustainability.
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The three projects inaugurated include construction of drainage retaining walls and erosion control at the main campus of the University of Abuja, erosion and flooding control at Kuchiyako 1, District, New Hope Avenue, Kuje Area Council, FCT and an access road in Gurku, Internally Displaced Person, (IDP) camp, Karu, Local Government Area, Nasarawa.
Abdullahi added that the projects were awarded in 2019, saying that Ecological Fund Offices (EFO) intervened in the three projects effectively. He said that the projects will address the devastating effects of erosion and flooding menace as well as providing access roads to people in the areas.
“I have no doubt in my mind that these projects will bring relief generally to the communities that have for a very long time, suffered the problems of these ecological challenges,” he said.
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“The completion of these projects will enhance the living standard of people in the communities and its environs. The projects will also reduce dangers to lives and properties, associated with erosion and persisted flooding that had been experienced in recent times.
“The projects will provide opportunities for economic growth of the communities.
