The Federal Government has completed the construction of box culverts but retained the wall of Sarius Palmetum Botanical Garden, Maitama, Abuja, to check flooding and erosion within the garden and its environs.
The project which was carried out through the Ecological Fund Office (EFO) included stone pitching and de-silting of drains.
Speaking at the commissioning and handing over of the projects to the management of the garden, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, said the project was expected to check flooding and erosion, as well as stop further degradation of the environment.
He said age-long problem of gully erosion and flooding in the country could not be overemphasised.
“I have no doubt that this Federal Government’s intervention will bring a huge relief to the large patrons of the garden,” he said.
Having successfully completed the project, he said, there was no doubt that the economic benefits of the botanical garden and its environs would be greatly boosted.
“This will at the same time reduce danger to lives and property associated with erosion and persistent flooding that are in and around the garden,” he said.
He underscored the importance of the present administration’s determination to continue with the implementation of all genuine government policies, agreements and contracts at both national and international levels, saying, they were aimed at laying solid foundation to the quest for a virile and prosperous nation on the path of unfettered development.
He, therefore, implored the management of the garden to cherish, maintain and ensure sustainability of the laudable project.
The Permanent Secretary of EFO, Dr. Habiba Lawal, said the intervention project was approved by the president in January, 2018, and awarded by EFO in April, 2018.
Represented by the Director, Special Duties, Bolatitan Laditan, Dr. Lawal said the commissioning and handing over of the project to the benefiting community was expected to achieve the dual purpose of enabling the host community to take over and exercise ownership to ensure its maintenance and sustainability.
“The resources which the Federal Government has committed to the project must not be allowed to waste,” she said.
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