13th July, 2017
The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has inaugurated a 12-ward community development committee in line with the National Policy on Community Development to help community members tackle facilities problems.
The FCT Minister, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, who was represented by Mr Justin Ishaba, inaugurated the committee on Wednesday in Abuja.
In his address, he said it was worrisome that 458 communities in the territory lack basic facilities such as water, electricity and convenience.
Bello said it was noteworthy that while AMAC was the seat of most corporate organisations in Abuja, these companies’ workers reside in over-burdened communities.
He said the workers had been over-stretching the limited facilities available in the communities.
“Of the 458 communities in the FCT, how many have water, electricity, classrooms and health facilities?
“But how many of these will the government do, or provide? We need to stand up and work together to develop our community.
“We can no longer wait for the government to do things for us. Let us repair our roads and schools so that we all will enjoy the facilities.”
The minister, however, urged the management teams of companies in the FCT to support and help develop the communities by providing basic amenities to ease the people’s problems.
He commended the Chairman of AMAC, Mr Abdullahi Candido, for being the first to inaugurate the development committee.
The minister urged the Chairman to provide the materials the committee would need for development while the people provide the labour themselves.
He also advised the Chairman of the development committee to go round companies and seek support to develop the communities.
Candido, in his address earlier, said the community development committee was concerned with mobilising communities in the society to involve themselves in activities aimed at self-improvement within available resources.
He said community development was a structured intervention which gives communities greater control over conditions which affect their lives.
“The committee will help community members build confidence in themselves to tackle their problems.
“Also, members of the committee have been commissioned to go and mobilise people to be part of the development process of their environment,’’ he said.
The AMAC chairman urged the committee to be committed to the task which was more of a social service with the overall goal of self-fulfillment and actualisation.
Earlier, Mrs Olayinka Adeneye, Chairman of the Community Development Committee, in her opening remark said community development was a way of strengthening civil society by prioritising their actions in the development of social, economic and environmental policies.
“Good community development is an action that helps people recognise and develop their ability and potential and organise them to respond to problems and the needs they share.”
She urged residents of the FCT to support the committee as its journey of touching lives and making great impact in the communities begin.
Mr Yusuf Danjuma, a member of the committee, in his response commended the chairman for taking the bold step and availing them the opportunity to serve.
“We promise to serve with honour and integrity,’’ he said.