Champion Newspapers Limited
For a better society

Shehu Hadi  Ahmad: Striving hard to make FCDA a better place

90
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

 

 

Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has maintained a steady culture of making the nation’s capital territory a more conducive environment for business and leisure. Our Abuja correspondent FAVOUR ISHEMBER in this special report chronicles the efforts and achievements of the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr. S. H. Ahmad in the last 365 days of the current FCDA management under   leadership of Malam Muhammad Musa Bello as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

 

There is no gain saying that there are people who are eternally committed to serving humanity to the extent that they derive so much joy in making other people, organizations and institutions gain greater heights. The current Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad is one of such persons considering his attachment to hard work. His appointment on November 22, 2021 by President Muhammadu Buhari stands as one of such appointments which have continued to give the presidency so much joy and confidence in view of the quantum achievement of the territory within such a short space of time.

His appointment, it would be recalled came at a period when  countries were emerging from the aftermath of COVID-19 Pandemic, the subsequent lockdown and the resultant economic effects that characterize the global economy.  Factors of production were at their lowest ebb and money supply was also at its lowest, yet the ingenuity of managers were brought to task so much that the likes of Shehu  Hadi Ahmed had every reason not to disappoint their employe4rs who are indeed the Nigerian people.

It was at this most critical point in time that the Executive Secretary assumed office. Despite these setbacks, some modest achievements were recorded in line with the mandates of the Authority.

The Executive Secretary who was retired in 2019 as the Director of Engineering, Federal Capital Territory Administration explained that despite some challenges being encountered in the quest to providing infrastructure in the city,  there is no going back on the provision of  infrastructure that will replace aging and insufficient ones.

It is obvious that in the last one year, some Infrastructure Projects were awarded while some of the on-going projects were taken to appreciable level of completion and a few others have been completed and already put to use.

Take the case of road infrastructure for example, it is on record that the provision of access road, water, electricity to EFCC Permanent Office at Institutional Area Phase III of FCC, Abuja, Provision of engineering infrastructure to Abubakar Koko are evident in the capital territory’s landmark presentations.

Some on-going Projects taken to appreciable level of completion include Sukuk Funded Projects

In a bid to close the gap in the Provision of Infrastructure in the country, the Federal Government introduced “Sukuk” financing scheme.

“Rehabilitation and Expansion of Outer Southern Expressway from Villa Roundabout to OSEX/Ring Road I (RR1) Junction including Four (4) Nos. Interchange.

“Construction of the 15km Left Hand Service Carriageway of Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) Stage II from Ring Road I (RRI) Junction to Wasa Junction.

“Extension of Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) from Southern Parkway (S8/S9) to Ring Road II (RRII):Construction of Southern Parkway from Christian Centre (S8/9) to Ring Road I (RR I) Construction of One Service Carriageway of Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) from Ring Road III (RR III) to Ring Road IV (RR IV)

One can list other on-going Projects taken to an appreciative level of completion to include: Provision of Engineering Infrastructure to Wuye Districts, Provision of Engineering Infrastructure to Guzape II Cadastral Zone A11 District, Abuja.

Others are, “Provision of Temporary Access Road to Open up Sections of Institution and Research District Construction of Temporary Access Road/Car park for Abuja Light Rail Stations in the FCC – Lot 7 – Gbazango,

“Provision of Engineering Infrastructure to Plot 650 Shettima La’ah Street, Life Camp, Counterpart Funding for Greater

“Construction of Temporary Access Road/Car park for Abuja Light Rail Stations in the FCC – Lot 2 – Ring Road ,

Provision of Infrastructure to new layout at Tank 4.1 Hill Vicinity, Area F Asokoro”

Ahmad disclosed that there is a full Scope Development of Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) with Spurs

Dualisation  of Usuma Dam Gurara Road as Phase II Development to the on-going reconstruction of Lower Usuma Dam – Gurara Road.

During the period under consideration, there were newly awarded projects that includes the Full Scope Development of FCT Highway 105 (Kuje Road) from Airport Expressway to OSEX with Spur at Kyami District .

Provision of Engineering Infrastructure to Birnin Kebbi Close, Garki II District. Provision of Engineering Infrastructure to Sam Njoma Close, Asokoro District.

Provision of Temporary Access Road, Electric Power Supply and Water Supply to the Apo-Tafyi Fish Site.

Repair and Rehabilitation of Road Shoulders and Bridge Embankments in the FCC.Emergency Measures to address Flooding Incidences in the FCC.

There was also the successful engagement of Consultancy Project for the commencement of Gudu Resettlement Site.

Most importantly, the resolution of a number of cases of conflict between the native population and various Developers; successful completion of the second phase of Nyanya Integration scheme for the Original Inhabitants of Nyanya FCT Abuja.

On Water Supply Projects, Ahmed disclosed that the greater Abuja Water Supply was made possible with the emergency Rehabilitation of Phases 1 & 2 Treatment Plants at the Lower Usuma Dam.

The FCDA boss also stated that another critical and gigantic project is the ongoing Greater Abuja Water Project that would sufficiently supply water to 50 Districts. He added that apart from Abuja’s phase one, the rest of the city’s water supply was on a temporary basis and the situation would be resolved on completion of this water works which is on advanced stage.

Another area that received a boost under the Ahmed stewardship is Staff Training/Capacity Building. The ES engaged the authority in a Systematic approach to Training of Officers with significant coverage involving officers at various Grade Levels.this was followed by an Increased Co-operation with International Development Agencies (UN-Habitat, JICA etc).

Significantly, lingering Cases of Promotion, Conversion of Technical Staff and Upgrading were addressed, and preparations have been put in place to ensure that Promotion exams are conducted as at when due.

New  Departments were created as there was a split of Department of Finance & Administration into Departments of; i. Human Resources Management, ii. Finance & Accounts. Also , the Creation of the Department of Engineering Infrastructure & Rehabilitation from the Department of Engineering Services was done.

All these achievements however, did not come without some key challenges, most prominent of which includes the issue of vandalization of public infrastructures and stolen manholes covers in Abuja.

Ahmad in a chart with Daily Champion, said that vandalism of manhole and gully covers has become an issue of concern to the FCT Administration, adding that the administration had intensified efforts with the security agencies to tackle the situation decisively.

He revealed that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has make a declaration to the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in FCT, to protect critical infrastructures such as manholes and gully covers, cables and street lights.

” We are in a like catch 22 situation. The manholes have been clearly stolen, criminals were arrested and the materials were taken and deposited with the NSCDC as exhibit because the issue is in court.

” For over three to four years we have been battling to retrieve them government to government not until last week we are able to broke harder through the intervention of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

” AGF ordered the court to release those exhibit so that we can replace some of them back because have a larger chuck of them over 600 to 700 pieces but it will not do much by the time we collect them and start replacement on a stretch of a road we need more than a thousand.

” When we collect them we can provide them for those areas that are a lit bit more secure. Even within this premises we can say we can replace some manholes covers with some confidence but outside this area we cannot guarantee.” He explained.

The executive secretary disclosed that the FCT Administration was considering alternative products that have less second hand value which would not attract vandals.

” We are now using some other products which have less second hand value from our understanding and believe because the vandals are still thinking of how to still make value from the alternative we are trying to make.

” But honestly we are been able to get some composite materials and around this road you will see some of this things already been deployed.

” We have also reached out to Ajaokuta steel and so many people other people are presenting all kinds of products some on Corporate Social Responsibility and some of the product didn’t pass our relevant test for them to be sustainable on our roads.

” But some we have to subject them to give them our own specifications and I think some few of such have been confirmed to passed our test and we are also deploying concrete and composite materials now.” He said.

Still on tackling challenges, the FCTA said it has perfected plans to commence immediate rehabilitation of failed Trunk Sewer Lines at various locations within the nation’s Capital city. It was  discovered  that this development may have been necessitated by the need to avert looming epidemic and other health hazard.

In recent times, residents have expressed worries about the broken overflowing sewer lines in some parts of the city centres, complaining that such developments was dangerous to health.

Hence, the Executive Secretary reassured  commitment to the health of residents and hygienic environment, noting that the FCT  administration doesn’t want the cases of Foul Sewerage to be endemic in the city.

Interestingly, The FCDA Engr. Ahmed said the Authority would begin power generation from waste as it’s plan to  commence conversion of the huge waste in the nation’s capital into energy.

Engr. Ahmed revealed that a pilot scheme of the new energy drive by the FCTA would commence as soon as the Administration signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Casemate Investment Ltd to develop a watse to energy plant at Gosa landfill site, popularly known as Gosa Dumpsite.

Explaining further, he said: “We are at the point of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Casemate Investment Ltd to see to the commencement of the development of the plant

“The Abuja Master Plan provides for a landfill site at Gosa, but because we have not been able to develop the engineering land use site there, what we are operating now is just to go and dump.

“We are trying to get investors to come and develop the waste to energy plant, where we should be able to generate energy and other facilities”, he hoped.

According to him, the FCT Administration was desirous of migrating from the use of deseal in powering some of its critical infrastructure to other energy sources, including waste, solar and wind.

Our Currespondent gathered that some of the infrastructures the  FCT Administration was planning would be powered by alternative energy sources and they  include the Treatment Plant in Gosa, where the city’s liquid wastes is been treated; Lower Usuma Dam, and some streets lights, among others.

Specking on other projects, the Executive Secretary stated that while other infrastructure have been substantially completed, others  are on-going, even as he assured that the FCDA was prioritising  completion of some against others.

He assured that the Federal Capital Development Authority would do everything possible to complete rehabilitation and internal redesigning of the National Assembly Complex before expiration of the 9th Assembly, so that the 10th Assembly would take over a fully renovated complex.

Engr. Ahmad also noted that the commencement of the first Landswap project was one of the biggest achievement of the FCT Administration under Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.

He further stated that it was the first time payment for resettlement and compensation was been done by an investor where cheques were issued to affected families.

Before now, the FCTA had to rely on budgetary provisions to take care of resettlement and compensation needs, but funds that would have been used for this would now be channeled into other sectors for the good of the people, he explained.

Among other projects the Executive Secretary provided briefs on ranged from major road infrastructure projects, through religious projects such as the national worship centres -National Mosque and the Natuonal Christian Centre, as well    completion of the 220-bed health facility in Gwarinpa.

Comments are closed.