THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013
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ABUJA REVIEW
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•Senator Bala Mohammed
HE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator Bala Mohammed has said that construction of public buildings in Abuja is the responsibility of his office. The Decree No. 6 of 1976 that created Abuja, he said, also created the Federal Capital Development Authority with duty and responsibilities to plan, design, provide the infrastructure and construct public buildings as well as services to the entire 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory. Senator Mohammed said this while responding to some media publications on the N4b earmarked for the proposed building of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) as contained in the proposed 2013 FCT Administration’s budget. The minister, who responded through his Senior Special Assistant on Information Management Systems, Hajiya Jamilah Tangazah recalled that the
Minister clears air on public buildings From Gbenga Omokhunu
African First Ladies Peace Mission was established in 1996 to promote peace and harmony in Africa after the 1995 Beijing Conference on Women and its subsequent declaration in Zimbabwe during which the Organisation of African Unity (now African Union) keyed in. Senator Mohammed remarked that since its inception in 1996, the organisation has been debating issues of relevance to African women, children and youths as well as issues to do with social justice within the fields of population and development, the environment, and human rights, especially gender equality. The minister said that as part of its commitments to live up to its international obligation, the Federal Government
accommodates certain international bodies- just like it is done across the globe- adding that every year, the cost of rent or accommodation for such bodies tends to be above N1b. According to him, this obligation is transferred to the FCT Administration and as part of its efficiency measures, the FCT Administration saw in the proposed headquarters of the African First Ladies Peace Mission building an opportunity to save cost by using the AFLPM building to serve multiple roles in providing office accommodation as well as housing not just for the African First Ladies Peace Mission but also to other international bodies. Senator Mohammed noted that from the foregoing, it could be realized that by proposing to build the AFLPM edifice- a public -listed
building- the FCT Administration is only acting in accordance with its duty and responsibilities as envisioned by the law. The minister emphasised that the FCT Administration has submitted the budget to the National Assembly to debate on and give its final approval based on requisite needs of the country’s capital as dictated by local, national and international postulations. He expressed his happiness that based on these, the administration is convinced that the robust public debate that erupted on aspects of the proposed FCT 2013 budget proposal will be done and guided with fervor of a people who are conscious of both historical and current roles they have played and are proud of their tradition not just as national, but also regional and continental leaders.
Nigerian leaders challenged on healthcare
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OING overseas for health care by public office holders is a shameful thing, Oxfam Country Director, Chichi AniagoluOkoye has said, adding that the practice should stop. Describing such action as a deficiency of the mind, Aniagolu-Okoye stated that it is imperative for notable Nigerians and relevant stakeholders to join the cause to address the problem. However, she disclosed that a change of attitude is vital to transforming the country. She spoke during a courtesy visit to The Nation office in Abuja. Aniagolu-Okoye said: “Why will you be the governor of a state or president of a country and you go to access healthcare from another country. Meanwhile, you look like a magician, anything you want, you can get. Why won’t you fix the healthcare? There is something wrong somewhere and you are not even embarrassed. “The First Lady going to Germany for healthcare….how did the German feel? You feel not embarrassed that you are the first lady of a country of over 150 million people, one of the highest oil-producing countries in the world but you couldn’t access healthcare. It’s not supposed to be a thing of pride, it should be a thing of a shame.” She stated that as part of the agency’s private sector initiative, it has begun a project where cocoa farmers in the country are partnered with chocolate producing firms in Netherland. Aniagolu-Okoye informed that the agency went into agreement with the chocolate factories whereby information on the quality and quantity of cocoa produced by farmers are put together and purchased thereafter by the companies.
•National Hospital, Abuja From Olugbenga Adanikin
“We have a cocoa project where we are linking cocoa farmers in Ibadan with chocolate factories in Netherland. We are trying to get more cooperation especially the one outside the country to be more socially responsible and building the financial base of farmers,” she said. According to her, it will foster joint benefit for both parties where the farmers get more income and the chocolate producing firms have access to quality cocoa produce. Asked if the agency has made other pragmatic efforts to address poverty, the Oxfam boss stated that it has commenced plans on women empowerment and programmes to increase the number of women in leadership position. She said the agency will launch a campaign, ‘Candi-
Why will you be the governor of a state or president of a country and you go to access healthcare from another country. There is something wrong somewhere. date 2015’ to achieve the programme, adding that women wings of various political parties will be a target. “We have noticed that a number of women in politics act like a man because they
have to represent those who elect them perfectly. So if we are to build this confidence in women especially women wing of political wings, they will be a force for women agenda and true transforma-
tion,” she added. The Deputy Editor, Nation’s Capital, Yomi Odunga tasked Oxfam to device better relationship with the Federal Government in its bid to address poverty. He urged them to work harder and partner with other relevant bodies to jointly fight the scourge. Reacting to the statement, Aniagolu-Okoye disclosed that the agency is annually funded with 5.5 million euros, where one million will be spent on administrative functions and the remaining used for the agency’s programmes. Asked if the agency has seen impacts of its diverse programme, Oxfam boss stated that programme results are long term and more of attitudinal change. “The corruption in Nigeria is not that people are evil but attitudinal change and mentality about the issue.”