ABUJA: Mr Emmanuel Obiabo, Executive Director of Statecraft Foundation, has emphasised the need for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration to prioritise the transformation of rural communities to address the increasing rate of youth migration. Obiabo made this appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting with FCT Community Youth Associations in Abuja, focusing on enhancing service delivery in rural communities.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the meeting, themed ‘Promoting Active Citizenship and Leadership Development in FCT,’ highlighted the importance of good governance in facilitating development. Obiabo stressed that providing basic infrastructure in rural communities would significantly address challenges associated with youth migration. He noted the lack of primary healthcare centres, power supply, and access to clean water in some FCT rural communities as critical issues that need urgent attention to ensure the well-being of rural dwellers.
The objective of the meeting was to facilitate com
mitments from stakeholders on addressing identified gaps, opportunities, and strategies related to infrastructure and service delivery in FCT rural communities. This includes education, primary healthcare, food, water, sanitation, power supply, and economic empowerment, Obiabo stated.
Mr Iliya Philip, Secretary of Ijah-Pada Community in Kwali Area Council, representing the youth, commended the foundation’s efforts in highlighting the community’s challenges. Philip lamented the deplorable condition of roads and healthcare facilities in the community, appealing to the FCT Administration to expedite action towards revitalising the infrastructure deficit.
While the FCT Administration has made efforts to improve infrastructure gaps in rural communities, including the inauguration of several roads in Kwali, Kuje, Gwagwalada, Bwari, Abaji, and Abuja Municipal Area Council, more needs to be done. This is especially in areas like Abattoir, Naharati, Rafi-Zurfi, Lanto, Kuyami, Sabo-Iddo, Peyi, Pambara, and Jigo.