By Peter Usman
Minister, Federal Capital Territory, FCT Muhammad Musa Bello has lauded the UN and its agencies for their human development efforts in the Territory in particular and Nigeria in general.
Bello acknowledged the positive contributions of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP through the UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs towards improving the living standards of the people.
“SDG programme has provided another window of opportunity to work on overcoming the challenges that were encountered during implementation of the MDGs.” he said.
Bello, was speaking during a meeting with the UNDP Country Director, Mr. Samuel Bwalya and the Senior Special Assistant, SSA to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire .
The Minister disclosed that FCTA was always prepared to work with these organisations and stakeholders to ensure that critical development projects that will improve the living conditions of FCT residents are actualised.
The Minister said efforts are ongoing to realize the very critical water project in Abaji Area Council in the FCT, that will provide clean and affordable water to the rural populace, in addition to other projects that were commenced during the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs period but were not completed.
He said serious attention is also being given to the SDG Goal 11 that is aimed at evolving a livable city, adding that resource persons have been engaged as follow-up to the Urban Thinkers Campus round table that was held recently in the FCT.
He called for passionate commitment across board to ensure continuity and sustainability of ongoing SDG projects in the FCT and other parts of the country.
Earlier in his remarks, the UNDP Country Director, Sameul Bwalya, emphasised the importance of ensuring that the SDG programme succeeds in the FCT considering the ripple effect it will have in other parts of the country.
He called for quick planning in order to have a roadmap that will achieve results.
Bwalya also called for more interaction with stakeholders to reinforce the efforts that are aimed at realising the SDGs in the FCT even as he pledged to work with the FCT Administration and office of the SSA on SDG to address the gaps in the FCT.
The UNDP Country Director stated that the agency was working very hard to get the private sector involved, especially in the areas of healthcare and education.
Senior Special Assistant on SDGs, Princess Orelope-Adefulire said the program is aimed at bringing development to the people that are challenged, especially those in remote parts of the country, to make life meaningful to them and ensure that they are not left behind.
The SSAP revealed that her office has made some interventions in the health sector in FCT, by providing critical hospital facilities like furniture and ambulance services for the National Hospital to safeguard the life of the new born and reduce infant mortality.
She disclosed that the agenda for its upcoming workshop is to sensitise the management team of FCT local authorities, religious bodies, educational institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders on how they could contribute to the achievement of SDGs, as well as the benefits therein.
She added that her office has developed a framework that will ensure that all the out of school children are brought back to school with more investment in the education sector.