By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned two projects executed by the Ecological Fund Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The projects are the erosion and flood control works sited at Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) and road rehabilitation at Sagwari layout Dutse.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Muhamamd Bello who represented the President said that the projects are indication of government effort in tackling environmental problems in the country and making life more meaningful for the people.
He enjoined the host communities to ensure the sustainability of the projects and avoid using it as refuse dump to avoid wasting the resources of federal government.
On her part, the permanent secretary of EFO, Dr Hadiza Lawal noted that the project was initiated through a request by the former head of Civil Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita on the need to arrest the continuous flooding and erosion menace in PSIN, to avoid further environmental degradation, loss of lives and properties.
Lawal who was represented by the EFO director of Soil Erosion & Flood Control, Engr. Felix Okeke said that the timely completion of the projects was made possible through the project contractor and consultant, who worked tirelessly to ensure minimum loss of time in the project implementation schedule.
Also speaking, the administrator of PSIN, Mr Abdul-Ganiyu Obatoyinbo commended the government for the intervention.
At Sagwari layout, Dutse, the minister called on Nigerians to appreciate the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in bringing massive development to the area council and lamented the inability of the area council to build people-oriented project in the community.
Engr Okeke noted that the commissioning and handing over of the project was expected to achieve the dual purpose of enabling the host community to take over and exercise ownership over the project.
The vice chairman of Sagwari layout Dutse, Engr Ben Ginikanwa hinteds that the community has been grappling with the effects of flooding for several years before the intervention and thanked PMB for bringing change to the residents.
