By Sarah NEGEDU
Land developers and other property owners along the Umaru Yar’adua Express way have embarked on intensive beautification and landscaping of the road corridors, as part of their contribution to the development of the city.
The initiative which entails comprehensive greening and tree planting drive within 20 meters setback from properties along major road, is being carried out in conjunction with the FCT Administration to sustain the aesthetics of one of the major gateways into the city.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony of the beautification and landscaping exercise, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, said the move is in line with the 2019 parks policy of the administration.
The policy allows for permit to corporate organizations, multinationals and diplomatic communities for the purpose of exercising their Corporate Social Responsibility in the enhancement of greening of the city.
The minister said the administration had solicited for the cooperation of some few organizations located along the Umaru Yar’adua express way to compliment the efforts of the FCTA in the improvement of the aesthetics of the diplomatic road by landscaping, beautification and maintenance of the frontage of their property to compliment the major gateway leading to the city centre.
Aliyu affirmed that the partnership with private entities was a clear demonstration that government cannot do everything on its own, while assuring that the Administration 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.
She also assured that the administration was guided by core values of patriotism and dedication to duty; integrity, and respect for due process and rule of law, while pledging that nobody would be subcharged 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 organizations to emulate the actions of the property owners along the Abuja airport road to add value to the aesthetics of the city.
In his words, “It is indeed gratifying to note that corporate organizations and even residents of the FCT share the vision of the FCT Administration in building an Abuja of our collective dreams which we will be proud to call home.”
It will be recalled that the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, AMMC, through the Department of Parks and Recreation had since 2017, been unsuccessful in soliciting 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.
