Communities - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Ismail Abdulaziz
May, Wed, 2025

Host communities will continue to enjoy our support- power coy

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By Rita Iliya
The North-South Power Company Limited (NSPCL) Niger says it has spent more than N1 billion on the execution of various community projects in the zone.

Dr Samson Esumeh, NSPCL Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen at the Company/Dam Host Community Stakeholders’ Committee Engagement Meeting on Tuesday in Minna.

He said the company had carried out various initiatives, including medical outreach programme, construction of boreholes, and provision of toilet facilities.

“We have constructed 47 boreholes, providing clean water access to 40 communities of over 15,000 households,” he said.

Esumeh explained that the Company’s Community Social Responsibility initiatives had positively impacted over one million people.

“We engaged in promoting health, education, sustainable agriculture, economic empowerment, and infrastructural development.

“ We have provided free deworming of 10,000 school children, 600 minor surgeries and 240 major surgeries and provision of free antenatal services to 55,560 women.

“Others were construction of 11 sanitation facilities and an ultra-modern Public Health Center, rehabilitation and furnishing of two community schools as well as donating educational materials to 30 primary schools,” he said.

He added that the organisation had provided scholarships to 14 deserving students, agricultural inputs to 40 communities that benefited over 100,000 households and trained 70 farmers on sustainable agricultural practices.

The spokesman also said the company had rehabilitated 30 kilometres of roads, installed solar-powered street lamps, renovated a community centre and constructed a 50-unit cluster houses.

“The company through its Zumba Child Advancement Programme (Z-CHAP) facilitated the enrollment of 100 out-of-school children back into formal education system,’’ he said.

According to him, the organisation’s investment in host community projects is a testimony of its dedication and commitment to foster sustainable peaceful coexistence among the host communities.

Esumeh described the meeting as a significant milestone of the company’s journey of 10 years of unwavering power generation and outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) achievements.

The Chairman of the committee, Prof. Danladi Kakimi, appreciated NSPCL for its intervention, especially in agriculture, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

He urged the company to involve communities in planning and needs assessments before executing projects.

Also speaking, the chairman of Shiroro Local Government, Akilu Ishaku, lauded NSPCL’s efforts and called for more impactful interventions with more value-added projects.
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdul Hassan/Joe Idika

Area councils’ road projects: Wike optimistic of meeting December deadline

Philip Daniel Yatai
Nov, Thu, 2024

Metro

Area councils’ road projects: Wike optimistic of meeting December deadline

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has expressed optimism that the ongoing roads projects across the six area councils of the FCT would be completed in December.

Wike stated this after he inspected some ongoing road projects in Abuja on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Wike had, in February 2024, inaugurated the construction of several road projects in satellite towns and rural communities across the six area councils of the territory.

The projects, meant to transform rural economies and improve the quality of rural dwellers, were expected to be completed in December.

Some of the projects inspected on Wednesday included the ongoing Dutse – Bwari road resurfacing and the upgrading of War College/Army Checkpoint Road and other ancillary roads in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council.

The minister also inspected the reconstruction of 25-kilometre Kwaita – Yebu and the 11km Yangoji – Sukuku – Eba road projects, in Kwali Area Council.

The minister, who said he didn’t want to be pessimistic, expressed confidence that the contractors would deliver the projects on agreed timelines.

“You know we had heavy rains this year, and we gave contractors December to complete the projects, but you can see the level of job they have done; quality job, and this is in rural areas.

“We are still working on the December deadline. I don’t want to say that the roads would not be completed. I don’t want to be pessimistic.

“I have seen the contractors, and they told me that they will complete the roads and hand them over to us in December; let us keep to it. I think there is no need to doubt them.

“In as much as we do our own part, I am sure they will also fulfil their own promise,” Wike said.

He expressed satisfaction with the pace of the projects inspected so far, adding that when completed, the roads would have a positive impact on benefiting. communities.

He promised to do everything possible to make sure that the contractors get paid.

“When you see contractors who are committed, you on your own part, as government, will also carry out your own obligation by making sure they are funded in order to complete the roads and make the people happy,” he said.

He explained that he decided to go round some of the projects to see things for himself and not be told stories.

He added that the expanse of land in rural communities, if properly harnessed, would address the problem of food security in the FCT.

On what is in store for other communities in the FCT, the minister pointed out that government was continuum, adding that the current administration would do all it can to reach many communities with life-impacting projects.

He assured that President Bola Tinubu-led administration would complete all projects embarked upon, while the next administration would continue from the administration stops.

“We cannot solve all problems. Even if you are in office for 20 years, there will still be problems, but what is important is that people can see that you are making efforts to reduce their burden.

“That is what is important.

“So, like I said before, all areas in Abuja, be it in the city, be it in satellite towns, will all feel the impact of this government,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Minister tasks corps members on creativity, innovation to serve communities better

Philip Daniel Yatai
Nov, Tue, 2024

Metro

Minister tasks corps members on creativity, innovation to serve communities better

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By Philip Yatai

Dr Mariya Mahmoud, the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has urged prospective graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to be creative and innovative to serve communities better.

Mahmoud made the call during the NYSC pre-mobilisation workshop in Abuja on Tuesday.

She said the world is changing and the needs of communities are equally evolving rapidly.

She stressed the need for prospective youth corps members to be prepared to meet the challenges with creativity, resilience and innovation.

She, however, added that “stakeholders must play a critical role in shaping the experiences of young Nigerian graduates.

“We must ensure that the graduates are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and mindset to contribute positively to the society.”

She described the NYSC as “cornerstone” of national integration and development since its inception in 1973, to foster unity among young Nigerians.

Mahmoud said the pre-mobilisation workshop provides an opportunity to share best practices, explore new ideas, and collaborate on
strategies that would enhance the effectiveness of the scheme.

She noted that the theme of the workshop “Strengthening the NYSC Mobilisation Process for Effective Service Delivery”, resonates deeply with the aspirations of the national vision.

She commended the leadership of the NYSC for the unwavering commitment to improving the quality of service rendered by youth corps members.

She said, “your dedication to training and preparing our youth for the responsibilities they will undertake is commendable.

“By investing in their development, we are investing in the future of Nigeria.”

The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, said the scheme had been the vanguard of nation building, fostering unity among different nationalities, as well as playing critical role in national development.

According to him, the imprints of the scheme are all over the landscape of the nation from the mega cities to every rural community.

Ahmed explained that the mobilisation process is a critical component of the service year that deserved all seriousness.

He pledged the management’s commitment to ensuring that the right things were done at all times for Nigerians to get the best out of the scheme. (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu