The Federal Government has inaugurated the completed gully erosion, flood control and road improvement works at Federal Government Boys College, Wuye, and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Estate, Lugbe, FCT.
Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), inaugurated and handed over the completed project executed by the Ecological Funds Office (EFO) to the people of the communities on Saturday.
Mustapha said that the projects were expected to check flooding and gully erosion menace as well as improve environmental hygiene and well-being of the people of the estate and its environs.
“The projects are among the Federal Government’s ecological intervention projects approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“It is intended to provide culverts and reinforce concrete drainages to properly channel waste and flood water into a safe discharge point to protect life and property.
“The scope of the project also includes road improvement works to ease pedestrian and vehicular access in the communities,’’ he said.
Mustapha said that the execution of ecological intervention projects across the country had demonstrated the sincerity of purpose of Buhari-led administration in its efforts to promote justice, equity and fair play in the country.
“The project will address and control some of the challenges of flooding and erosion facing the people of the area.
“The Federal Government’s intervention projects are therefore intended to bring relief to the community, while reducing danger to life and property associated with erosion and persistent flooding,’’ he said.
The SGF said that the project underscored the Federal Government’s effort and sincerity in tackling environmental problems and making life more meaningful for the people.
Dr Habiba Lawal, the Permanent Secretary of the EFO, said that the projects were initiated in response to requests for urgent intervention forwarded to the EFO by the Lugbe community and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education.
“The projects will arrest the continuous erosion menace, improve the access road as well as remove the eyesore caused by heaps of solid waste, and also to avoid further environmental pollution.
“The hand over will enable the people take over and exercise ownership of the projects to ensure its maintenance and sustainability,’’ she said.
Lawal urged the residents not to allow the resources which the Federal Government had committed to the projects go to waste.
“We are using this opportunity to urge the communities to avoid further indiscriminate dumping of waste,” she added.
Malam Salihu Momoh, who spoke on behalf of the Lugbe community, prayed to God to bless the present administration for coming to the rescue of the community.
“I really thank God for allowing the completion of this project and we appreciate the Federal Government’s efforts because this is what we have been hoping will come to fruition for a long time now,” he said. (NAN)
