The government of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria has announced the move it is making to effect urban renewal projects in selected communities, including Jikwoyi, Dutse Alhaji, Gwagwalada and Kuje under a soft loan arrangement from African Development Bank (ADB) and UN-Habitat.
The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, who dropped this hint in a chat with newsmen, recently said that the FCT Administration has also concluded plan of complete viable ongoing projects in the City and shift emphasis to the development of the outskirts. T
Also, the Director of Satellite Town Development Department, (STDD), Arc Victoria Imande, said that the Administration had submitted proposals to African Development (ADB) and UN-Habitat on the projects, saying that prequalification conditions which include project identification, detailing of scope of work and identification of major problems have been met.
He said that under the arrangement, FCT would contribute $300 million syndicated loan by both institutions at an interest rate of between 1 to 1.5 percent and that the facility would be channelled to address the dearth of modern infrastructure among the poor communities.
According to Arc Imande, over one million people are projected to benefit from the life improvement projects, adding that some of the facilities that would be provided include water pipelines, electricity, roads, sewage and other basic utilities.
He said that the Administration is working with the Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NIAF), consultants to the international agencies, to ensure that due diligence is complied with in the procurement process.
NIAF, the Director revealed, is already working on the development of the concept note, environmental and social management framework and tentative scope of the project. [myad]
