The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has lamented that almost 95 per cent of the park Operators in the nation’s capital, Abuja have totally derailed from the FCTA park policy.
The Minister disclosed this while leading a team of the management staff of the FCTA to the reopened recreation site, the Millennium Park after two years of closure due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.
It was gathered that the park which was closed down at the height of the COVI-19 pandemic, was developed and donated to the residents of the FCT some years ago.
The Minister while explaining that the event was more than just the reopening of the park, appreciated the Almighty Allah for having taken us safely throughout the difficult time.
Malam Bello appealed to the media and the public to support the FCTA’s efforts toward rediscovering Abuja from what it was meant to be by the founding fathers.
He urged those opposing the FCTA park policy to rethink and support the administration in the journey to transform all parks into what it was meant to be.
” Today signifies a very important milestone for the city. A day when officially our own Millennium Park in Abuja will be open after over two years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
” For us in the city this occasion today is more than just the reopening of the park but appreciating God Almighty for having taken us safely through all these difficult times.
” More importantly it is a day when we are going to say thank you Salini Nigeria L.td., for being a very reliable partner and cooperative citizen in Abuja, who singlehandedly constructed this park over 22 years ago.
” And more importantly continue to maintain it to this international standard that you all see today without charging a kobo. What we have seen today is what truly park support to be in Abuja.”
” Very, unfortunately, almost 95 per cent of the parks in Abuja have totally derailed from our park policy. What you see here is what we call the FCT Park Policy in action.
” They have an opening time, they have a closing time, they have a perimeter fence, lights, security and toilet.”
Malam Bello went further to express the appreciation of the FCTA to Silini LTD for being a reliable Partner in Abuja and Corporate citizens who have single handling constructed the Park over twenty years ago and more importantly continue to maintain it to international standard without charging one Kobo.
According to him, ” What we have seen here today, and what we are witnessing and what you have gone round is what truly a park supposed to be in Abuja. Very beautiful, well kept long with the protection of ecosystem.
“The trees here are as old as Abuja, look at the water body, the fishes and allegators have been protected and more importantly also, it is truly speaking what Abuja stand for, a green Beautiful looking City”.
For all the years they have spent here, all people that allow to come in here, they have been able to maintain it clean. This is what a park should be. What we witnessed here today is what we called FCTA park policy in action”, he maintained.
Also speaking, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola stated that, ” For us to be here today, it’s mean we have survived the COVID when the COVID pandemic came in, it was as the end of every one. And for this alone we need to give thanks to God. However, we are here alive and healthy to witness the reopening of this Garden a couple of some minutes ago which was done by no other person than the minister of the FCT himself”.
The Permanent Secretary then appreciated the Silini for maintaining the Park all this period while it was under lock and key two years ago due to the COVID pandemic.
The Managing Director of Salina Nigeria L.td, Dr Piero Capitano, thanked the administration for all the support to the company.
Represented by the Project Manager of the company, Mr Gennaro D’ltria, Capitano, said that the park was a century of relaxation which provides freedom and peace.
He further explained that the Park is a large green area which provides a beautiful place for children and parents to relax, and meditate and also provides freedom and peace for the residents to catch fun.
PIAK
