A Non-governmental Organization, Africa Nations Development Programme (ANDP), a subsidiary of World Nations Development Initiative, has earmarked N78 billion naira for the construction of 5, 000 housing units for the less privilege in Cross River State.
Director-general of ANDP for Africa, Dr. Samson Omojuyibe who made the disclosure during a press conference in Calabar at the weekend said the mandate of the organization is to provide succor for the less privilege in the society.
He said the organization is particularly worried about the plight of the less privilege in the society, which according to him, have no access to the basic necessities of life.
Omojuyibe said, ‘’ our mandate is to help the next generation and the less privilege. In order to secure the future of our children we moved in to see what we can do by developing a brand new city starting with 5, 000 housing units of 2 bedroom flats. We would also be building hospitals and good schools. In fact some of our projects have University. All this would be done free of charge.’’
‘’When you send less privilege children to school, give them another 10 years they will fully integrate into the society and will no longer feel inferior again’’
The ANDP director-general added that the 5, 000 housing units which would be sited at Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River would also have a skill acquisition centre where indigent youths can acquire basic entrepreneurial skills.
He further stated that an ultra-modern hospital will also be built in the area to cater for the health needs of the people.
According to him, the hospital would be fully equipped with modern facilities comparable to other first class hospitals in the world.
‘’ We would also build a skill centre for them where they can learn a trade. At the end of the training we will give them money to start up their trade.
‘’ We would also be building a world class hospitals where prominent people instead of going abroad for medical treatment can come there for treatment. All these are completely free’’
He, however, commended the governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade for providing 250 hectares of land for the projects.
Omojuyibe said the gesture will be replicated in the 36 states of the federation.
Also speaking, Country director of ANDP, Mr. Thomas Ajikwe said the project is geared towards transforming the lives of Nigerians.
According to him, the funds for the projects will be sourced from public-spirited individuals and organizations across the globe.
‘’ It is a project for Africa by Africa. We believe in Nigeria that it can be a great country. The project is about Nigerians developing Nigeria. ADAP is coming with a project that will transform Nigeria. Generally in Nigeria there is over dependence on government and the government itself does not have the required resources to take care of these people.
‘’We are trying to get the people to begin to think for themselves. They will start thinking what they can do for themselves they will think about improving themselves.
Ajikwe also disclosed that an international farmers market will also be built, where farmers, after harvesting their produce can export directly without being shortchanged by middlemen.
‘’ We are building an international farmers market because from research we discovered that the inputs are much but what comes out as proceeds are small. We are doing this so that when the harvest their produce they can export them directly without middlemen and it will enhance their income and increase their standard of living.
‘’We also intend to help them with implements, with finance, pesticides, fertilizers and modern farming techniques. Experts will also be there to train them on the usage of this modern equipment. This will also reduce migration.
‘’ We are giving out the houses free of charge government is not contributing anything beyond providing land.’’
On his part, governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade berated the federal government for ceding Bakassi to Cameroon thereby creating a refugee situation in the area.
He, however, commended ANDP for the initiative and pledged support for the project, adding that he would help facilitate its early completion.
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