By Hassan Zaggi
An international Non Governmental Organisatino (NGO), United Towns Agency (UTA), has expressed its commitment to embark on massive humanitarian activities in vulnerable rural communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
UTA is a United Nations accredited NGO that promotes North South Cooperation. It is prominent in over 110 countries and enjoys a consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.
UTA is actively involved in diverse fields from scientific exchange and humanitarian aid. It equally plays key role in raising awareness towards international mechanism for the protection of human rights and establishing solid foundation for the implementation of its strategy for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals )SDGs).
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Tuesday, the UTA Country President in Nigeria, Princess Abigail Chinyere Amalaha, said that the focus of the NGO will be to scale up access to safe drinking water to FCT rural communities.
“Our first set of rural community projects are construction of two modern hospitals, rehabilitation and equipping of two primary schools in FCT, Abuja.
“The choice of the location of these projects will be determined by UTA board in consultation with the FCT traditional rulers council,” she said.
The Country President of the UTA, further disclosed that: “Our focus is on scaling up access of FCT rural communities to safe drinking water, qualitative healthcare and education. It is a thing of regret and shame that we still find several rural communities in FCT Abuja, bereft of basic social amenities.
“We cannot fold our arms and leave everything to the government.”
On the source of funding for the projects, Princes Amalaha said: “Let me quickly mention that UTA headquarters in Geneva, for now, has not given us money for the projects but they expect us to take initiate and they will come in later to support when they have seen evidence of seriousness and transparency in us.”
She noted that UTA will also show interest in the 2023 election by ensuring that the votes of the Nigerians count and that the election is free, fair and credible.
“It is also within the work plan of UTA to seek to defend the political rights of Nigerian electorates in the 2023 general election by ensuring that their votes count, free, fair and transparent. Elections is the bulwalk of a democratic government.
“The UTA will therefore, be constructively involved in the electioneering process as an observer.
“The inalienable rights of the people to vote and be voted for without fear of molestation and inducement must be guaranteed. We will be working closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” she stressed.
Speaking on the modalities for raising the funds for the various projects, Prince Amalaha explained that: “Our immediate goal is to raise intervention fund for the various humanitarian project and the official lunch will take place sometimes in September, 2022, in Abuja, Lagos and the six geo-political zones where our activities and impact are to be felt.
“We shall embark on advocacy visits to eminent Nigerians to solicit their financial support. It is only when we start and undertake some projects that the UTA can allocate fund and equipment for our humanitarian activities in Nigeria.”
