By Stanley Onyekwere
In demonstration of support for initiatives aimed at enhancing provision of decent housing and bringing succour to the most vulnerable members of society, the Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has performed the foundation stone laying for a housing estate for widows and orphans, in the Wassa District of Abuja.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the project being constructed by Qatar Charity, a Qatari non-governmental organization (NGO), recently, the Minister described it as a significant intervention as it represents the cordial and mutually beneficial relations that exists between Nigeria and the State of Qatar.
Bello also revealed that the project, which is in furtherance of the FCT Administration’s productive collaboration with international non-governmental organisations is a partnership between the FCTA and Qatar Charity, as its financial cost will be borne entirely by the NGO while the FCTA provides the land.
The Minister also expressed optimism that on completion, the estate will complement the efforts of the FCT Administration in the development of the Wassa District.
Speaking earlier, Country Director of Qatar Charity, Hamdi Elsayed, said the estate is being constructed on about 13 hectares of land, and has a planned completion period of 12 months.
Hamdi disclosed that the housing estate, will contain 200 units of two bedroom houses, a school, a vocational training center, shops, and recreational facilities amongst other amenities.
The NGO’s Country Director further revealed that benefitting widows and orphans will not own the houses allocated to them but will remain as occupants until such a time when they will no longer need them, in which case they will be allocated to other beneficiaries.
Also present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Borno, the Ag Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department, Engr Obiora Nwankwo and other senior staff of the FCTA.
