The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has called on the private sector and other partners to inculcate the habit of giving back to the society as a corporate social responsibility.
The Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, made the appeal in Abuja on Wednesday, while receiving a donation of two motorize solar powered boreholes for two orphanages in Abuja.
The boreholes were donated by a non-governmental organisation, Amazons for Impact and Development Initiative,
The orphanages are Shining Star Orphanage Home located at Lugbe in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Hajia Hadiza Ibrahim Motherless Home at Gwagwalada.
While inaugurating the boreholes, Adesola, who was represented by Dr. Mohammed Dan-Hassan, Executive Director, FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Directorate, thanked the NGO for the gesture.
He called on the private sector to take advantage of the friendly business environment that the FCTA provides, to increase their returns on investment and give back to the society.
This, he said, would help the Administration to provide succor to orphans and indigent communities within the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, such charitable ventures will significantly complement the government’s efforts in attracting development to underserved areas.
“Such interventions will remain an indelible landmark in the lives of the beneficiaries and build trust on government joint efforts to make lives better for the residents of the FCT.
“It is our joy to see development partners and other concerned stakeholders joining us to develop the FCT of our dreams.”
The permanent secretary urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the facilities.
He also called on the community members to protect facilities and infrastructure built by the government and its partners against vandals for the collective use of the communities.
Earlier, Dr Ebele Ulasi, Chairman, Project Planning Committee of the NGO, said that the organisation decided to pilot the project in the orphanages in furtherance of its service to humanity.
Ulasi, who is also the founder of the NGO, said that the idea of the organisation’s “One Orphanage: One Borehole” initiative, was born out of the necessity to bridge the gap in access to clean water by many orphanages.
She said that the organisation, during a visit to some of the orphanages, noticed that most of the facilities do not have clean water for drinking and other purposes.
Responding to the challenges, Ulasi explained that the NGO decided to raise funds to provide good drinking water to selected registered indigent orphanages, one in each of the six Area Councils in Abuja.
“By harnessing the boundless energy of the sun, the solar borehole ensures a sustainable and uninterrupted water supply for the orphanages and its inhabitants.
“The borehole represents a lifeline, a source of vitality, and a symbol of hope.
“This milestone is a testament to the relentless effort of our unique organization tirelessly working to create a conducive nurturing environment for these children,” she said.
On his part, AMAC chairman, Christopher Maikalangu, also thanked the NGO for the kind gesture.
Maikalangu, who was represented by Mr Dantani Zandna, Supervisory Councillor, Works, and Housing, called on the NGO and managers of the orphanages to present their pressing needs for the council’s record.
