By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has urged religious bodies to support communities in providing services that would have direct bearing on the people.
The mandate Secretary FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Malam Abubakar Ibrahim stated this at the weekend, during the inauguration and handover of a borehole to Kado community, constructed and donated by the Church of Christ, Kado, Lifecamp, in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Ibrahim, who described the project as laudable and unconditional love for humanity, said the intervention deserves to be emulated by others in the society.
Represented by a director in the Secretariat, Mrs. Anne Ijeoma, the ARDS boss, noted that the government cannot carry the whole load of meeting the needs of the people alone, as there has to be intervention from others.
He said: “Your relationship (with host community) is very important. And if you don’t have good relationship with people around you, there is no amount of preaching you will do, that they will listen to you.
“Christianity is all about love, if there is no love, I’m sure this project will not be here today. The people of Kado have shown love to the Church of Christ, and that is why to let them know that the Church appreciates their love, by providing the water project.
“You permitted them to be here in Kado, and that is why they want to pay back for your good deeds. This is a good example of evangelism”.
Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of FCT on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah, also commended the Kado congregation of the Church of Christ for the noble initiative that would impact positively on the people in the community.
According to him: “We hope to see this project properly maintained. The FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, is keen to get people to understand the fundamentals of what life is.
“And he has been very grateful to the indigenes of the FCT, who have never been violent, but allowing access to their land for development, while also looking at their own interest as well. So we thank you for your good hearts and warm reception that has helped to grow this city”.
The Chief of Kado, Esu Danlami Audu, who expressed gratitude to the Church for providing the borehole, said it is the first water supply intervention by a Church for people in the community.
Audu, while his annoyance and dismay over the absence of basic amenities in the community, argued that ” Our local government administrations are supposed to be carrying out these projects (water supply and other amenities), but no one is done by them. But we are happy since NGOs have recognised us, at least it is a big development to me and entire residents of Kado”.
