On the heels of proposals in the 2009 budget to set aside N2 billion for generators for the Presidency, National Assembly and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Senator Adamu Aliero, disclosed yesterday that plans had been concluded by the administration to order for a large consignment of power generators for the territory.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration also plans to spend N16 billion this year in the actualisation of the proposed Abuja light rail project.
According to FCT Minister, the plan to power Abuja with generators is geared towards creating an alternative power source for the federal capital city, especially the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Road as well as provide power for the traffic lights.
The plan is coming barely four days after a family of five, a 75-year-old man, his wife, and their three children died in their home after inhaling fumes from a power generator set in Benin City, Edo State.
This is also a direct indictment on the govenment of President Umaru Yar'Adua, which close to two years in office, has refused to declare state of emergency to combat the embarrassing power supply in the country.
Speaking with reporters yesterday, Aliero who noted that the development of the nation's capital city since inception stands at 22 per cent, however promised to achieve more than 30 per cent development this year, adding that the administration would build five general hospitals this year in addition to the existing ones.
On the transportation problem in the FCT, the Minister said besides the proposed N16 billion for the actualisation Abuja light rail project, additional buses would be provided to cover every part of the territory.
He added that the administration would establish a national cultural centre to showcase Nigeria, especially to visitors.
Aliero who disclosed that new districts would be opened with engineering infrastructure as obtains in Maitama, Asokoro and Garki, said once put in place, fees would then be increased and charged which would then be ploughed back into the development of new districts.
The minister also ordered that all recreational gardens in the territory be closed at 7 p.m daily to check the activities of men of the underworld, warning that operators who fail to adhere to the order will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Comments 1 to 2 of 2 Post a comment
This is ridiculous. I simply do no understand why we always go for unsustainable solutions. When the government should be focusing on injecting the needed urgency and resources to fix our power sector problems, it is resorting to buying generators. How is this sustainable? How long do we intend to use generators?
I thought the president said he would declare a state of emergency in the power sector. Common Nigerians...when are we going to look our problems in the face and fix them rather than resorting to temporary measures to fix permanent problems. No electricity, use generators; no good roads, buy a jeep; no pipe borne water, dig shallow boreholes, etc. These are not sustainable solutions. They don't move this country forward.
i personally do not like this idea, because it is like a sign of poor development. i feel this amount set aside for generators should be channelled to the development of the power sector for whatever technology to be used.