FCTA to complete, handover UN House before 2018 – Minister
NAN-H-127
Planning
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, April 6, 2017 (NAN) Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it will complete and handover the United Nations House, Abuja before the 2018 anniversary of the UN.
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello said this at the signing of the FCTA/UN 2017 Annual Work Plan on Thursday in Abuja.
The minister expressed optimism that the UN Building would be completed in time and handed over before the next anniversary of the United Nations.
He described the signing as a very important milestone in the relationship between FCT and UN, saying “it is a demonstration that the UN is fully committed to doing good works in the FCT.”
Bello promised that adequate budgetary provisions would be made in the 2017 budget to accelerate realisation of set targets and bridge the deficiency gaps in performance in the previous years.
According to him, we will definitely make adequate budgetary provisions to match your funding for 2017.
“We will also try to make sure that the project is well funded so that work goes on.
“It’s something we take seriously and we are actually looking toward creating a small unit in my office headed by a senior officer to coordinate all our relationships with the various UN Agencies.
He acknowledged that previous issues being jointly handled by the FCTA and the United Nations would remain beneficial to the society.
He said that new projects would likewise be given top priority due to the impact they would have on the FCT.
Bello noted that urban solid waste management, slum upgrade and smart city are other issues that would be given top attention in subsequent annual work plans between the two bodies.
Earlier, the UN Representative Coordinator, Mr Edward Kallon, thanked the FCTA for its efforts at reviewing the UN Under 3 Annual Work plan for assent.
He said that implementation of the activities has started already.
He said the signing is an attestation of the FCTA’s commitment to nurture its cooperation with the UN for sustainable socio-economic development in the FCT.
Kallon expressed hope that some of the challenges that hindered the implementation of the previous work plans would be adequately addressed.(NAN)
KM/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide