Damgbam village, along the Airport Road; Abuja.
The construction was said to be part of their Community Development efforts which the fresh university graduates have undertaken. The borehole was launched by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.
Launching the borehole, the minister, who spoke through the FCT Permanent
Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, said that he would soon launch a Community Development Scheme.
“We in the FCT are preparing to launch what we call Community Development Programme. Very soon, we are going to have community development committees at the ward level, at the state level and at the Area Council level. Our aim is to encourage communities to
engage in community development projects such as the project we are
commissioning today.”
“Any community can come together, initiate a project, and seek our assistance. This is how communities all over the World develop. I want to encourage communities in the FCT where there is no water, where there are no basic facilities to also encourage government by initiating projects that are useful to their communities.”
He said that because of dwindling financial situation in the country today, the Government will not be able to do everything and that is why the FCT Administration appreciates this kind of community project.
The Minister said that it is a thing of joy that young people are coming forward to design projects for the benefit of the residents of the FCT; adding, “we are particularly grateful for this water project because as it is often said, water is life.
“I very deeply appreciate the fact that the young people are looking at these areas of needs and seeing what to do about it. The decision by the monthly sanitation group of this NYSC
batch to go into this project is very commendable. We are very happy with them and we appreciate them.
“I am most excited because the corps members sourced for fund to execute this project independent of government. I remember that when they visited my office to solicit for funds, I told them that if you really want to help humanity, don’t come to government to look for the
money.
“Go among yourselves and source for the money, and I’m happy today to see that they have done exactly that. With determination, they have been able to achieve this and we are sincerely happy with them.”
The Minister advised the corps members deployed across the nation to always carry the attitude of giving back to the society, instead of depending on what they will get from government.
Speaking earlier, the President of the Monday Environmental Sanitation Community Development Service Group, Carl Nwankolo explained that the project would benefit over 2,000 villagers of Damgbam community.
He praised the leadership of FCT Administration and the Federal Ministry of Water resources for the steady support to see the project come to fruition. [myad]
