Minister lauds FCDA fostering inclusivity, functionality, aesthetics in Abuja

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has lauded the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) for meeting the objectives for which, it was created, by paying special attention to inclusivity, functionality, design and aesthetics.
Bello added that Abuja today stands as one of the most beautiful cities in the world as attested to by not just the residents but visitors who have come here.
He made this point at a Retreat for the Board and the Executive Management Committee of the Federal Capital Development Authority, held Thursday at the Zuma Rock Resort, Suleja, Niger State .
The Minister, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, noted that: “Abuja has been described as one of the fastest growing cities in the world just as the FCT is the fastest growing subnational in the country”.
This, he said essentially translates into more work for the FCDA as you try to cope with the rapid expansion of the city and ever changing structure and dynamics of the society.
According to him, “There is therefore the need to keep abreast with the changes taking place around you in conformity with present and emerging realities while also charting the best way forward in fulfillment of your mandate.
“I was particularly pleased to note that this retreat is paying special attention to issues of and surrounding public procurement as well as contract management and price adjustment. These issues have over the years impacted not just the cost of important projects but completion periods and ultimately the quality of works delivered at the end of the day”.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr Olusade Adesola, in his goodwill message reiterated that the task of building the FCT has recorded significant milestones, particularly under the present administration.
Represented at the occasion by the Director, Human Resource Management, Muhammad Bashir he disclosed that, the number of completed and ongoing physical infrastructural projects within the life of the administration is unprecedented, expressing hope that the momentum will be sustained by the incoming government.
“In the quest to ensure optimal service delivery within the life of this present administration, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has over the years embraced all reform programmes of the Federal Government, including the Executive Orders- Ease of doing business environment, maintenance of national buildings amongst others”, he added.
On his part, FCDA Executive Secretary, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad explained that the retreat is an opportunity to reflect and refresh our minds on the mandate of the FCDA and to assess its past experiences and challenges as well as brainstorm on ways and means to overcome them.
He adds: “It will also avail us the avenue to look ahead by exploring the impact of trending issues on our collective future in the discharge of our responsibilities as an organization by assisting us as stakeholders both on policy formulation and implementation in the drive to build a befitting world class Capital City of our dreams”.
He, however, implored the participants to be ready to adopt new ideas and trending thoughts in order to be in tune with current and international best practices.
He, therefore, thanked the Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello and the FCDA Board Chairman whose approval made the gathering possible.
According to him, the retreat is indeed one of its kind in the sense that , in the history of the FCDA, no such event has ever taken place, whereby, it is organised for the members of the Board and the Executive Management Committee outside the Federal Capital Territory.
A resource person, Mr. Kabir Yari in his presentation titled: The planning of Abuja, Yesterday, Today and Lessons for the ongoing development, said there is the need for urgent and comprehensive review of the Master Plan and mobilizing more funding from other sources such as PPP, Land based financing mechanisms, cost recovery and general taxation among many others.
On his part, the Lead Consultant, Engr Emeka Momah Ezeh noted that the Retreat is auspicious, because it is coming at the cusp of one administration and at the threshold of another.
“Indeed, the transition period is an opportune time for a retrospection on the founding of Abuja, and its ideals, as a modern city, and a repositioning of those ideals for the future as a new vision which would be on the agenda for the new administration”, he stressed.