FCC commends Kaduna for equitable distribution of projects

ACTING Executive Chairman of Federal Character Commission (FCC), Dr. Shettima Bukar Abba has Commended Kaduna state government for equitable distribution of projects among the three senatorial zones of the state.

This was even as he warned State governors and Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs) to emulate Kaduna state and not to concentrate developmental projects in one senatorial zone of the State.

Abba said this was because one of the basic mandates of the Commission is to, “Ensuring fair and equitable distribution of posts in the public service throughout the federation among indigenes of the various States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.”

The FCC boss spoke in Kaduna on Thursday on the occasion of the one-day seminar on the theme, “The Provision and Spread of Socio-Economic Services, Amenities and Facilities-Need to Stimulate Stakeholders in the Country,” organised by the Commission.

He said his Commission is watching closely on States and regions that may have been short-changed with the view of making amendment in subsequent budgets.

This was even as he thumped up Kaduna State government for fairly distributed projects for the good of the people, and urged other States in the North West emulate Kaduna.

ALSO READ: Kaduna govt initiates leadership training for next generation of Nigerian leaders

“While we acknowledge that needs differ from one region to the other and one State to the other, we are resolute to ensure that projects cited by government Agencies are of direct benefit to the people.

“The enduring principle of proportional sharing of the national resources is what we expect States to follow. Even for political expediency, no State government will concentrate projects in one senatorial zone and with principle of fairness, justice and equity, it is a moral justification for States to spread their resources.

“I am happy with what I have seen in Kaduna State. Projects are fairly distributed for the good of all. I pray other States in the North West will emulate Kaduna example.

“If the principle of Federal Character is taken into consideration, it will make our economy more prosperous and globally competitive as we work assiduously to integrate and spread the economic prosperity to every part of the country and translating it to improved living condition for the citizenry thereby dousing tension of relative deprivation.

“It is to be noted that our weak infrastructural base in rural areas and the concentration of projects in the State capitals limits the extent to which our people can take economic comparative advantage of its potentials to increase opportunities for job and wealth creation.

“With our increasing growth of cry of marginalisation, population and urbanization, the demand for fair and equitable distribution of infrastructural facilities cannot be overemphasized.

“In putting the framework for the actualisation of the tenets of spread od infrastructure, the Commission has since commenced a nationwide infrastructure audit for all ongoing and abandoned projects in all regions with the view to ascertain and verify its importance and level of completion.” Dr. Abba said.

In his address on the occasion, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha said in order to address critical infrastructure deficit, especially in roads and power projects across the country, the President has approved the establishment of Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund (PIDF).

Mustapha added that the Fund is managed by the National Sovereign Investment Authority.

He said, “The objective of the PIDF is to ensure prompt and timely execution of projects devoid of the bottlenecks that accompany such exercises”.

SGF pointed out that some projects to be addressed by President Buhari administration included the second Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Express Way, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Express Way, among others.

He noted, “As we are all aware, development of any kind can only thrive in a peaceful and secure society.

“Therefore, the government has been addressing cases of rural banditry and kidnapping both in cities and in rural areas. Additional security measures are being put in place to curb the violence in Zamfara and neighbouring States.”