By Stanley Onyekwere
As part of efforts to ensure the sustained improvement of the aesthetics of the Umar Musa Ya’Adua expressway linking the Abuja Airport and other parts of Federal Capital City, the FCT Administration has commenced the intensive beautification and landscaping of corridors of the road, one of the major gateways into the city.
The initiative, which entails comprehensive greening drive within 20 meters setback from properties along major road, in collaboration with property developers in the area, was flagged off yesterday by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, in Abuja.
Bello, while officially breaking the ground for the project, noted that it’s a testament of FCTA’s commitment to achieving one of the functions of the Department of Parks and Recreation as stated in the 2019 Parks Policy by granting permit to Corporate Organizations, Multinationals and Diplomatic Communities for the purpose of exercising their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the enhancement of greening of the city.
The Minister, who was represented by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, said in line with the 2019 new FCT Park Policy on Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR), many stakeholders responded positively to its call with a view to commencing the actual landscaping and beautification of the Express Way.
He said: “This partnership with private entities today is a clear demonstration that government cannot do everything on its own, therefore, FCTA shall continue to work with the private sector and development partners to ensure that continuous progress is made in the beautification of the nation’s capital.
“Let me assure you that we are guided by core values of patriotism and dedication to duty; integrity, and respect for due process and rule of law; and nobody will be sub-charged in this partnership”.
Also speaking, FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, commended the property owners along major Abuja landmark who have come together for the implementation of the laudable initiative, as a way of giving back to the society.
He urged other Corporate Organisations to emulate the actions of the property owners along the Airport Road, to add value to the aesthetics of the city.
Similarly, in his goodwill message, Chairman Arid Developers Nigeria Ltd, owners of Spring Valley Estate, Husseini A. Dikko, noted that the beautification initiative will help positively project the image of the country.
Dikko, who was represented by Mohammed Kalu, however appealed to all stakeholders to ensure that the project becomes a huge success.
Recall that since 2017, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) through the Department of Parks and Recreation had unsuccessfully solicited the involvement of Property developers in landscaping, Beautification and Maintenance of the frontage of their property on the major gateway leading to the Federal Capital City (FCC).
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