FCT Minister lays foundation for housing estate for widows, orphans

By Taofeek Lawal, Abuja

As part of support of efforts to provide decent housing and bring succor to the most vulnerable members of society, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, on Monday performed the foundation stone laying ceremony of a housing estate for widows and orphans The housing estate which is to be constructed at Wassa District of Abuja is being bankrolled by a Qatari non-governmental organization (NGO), the Qatar Charity.

The minister who said that the project was significant as it represents the cordial and mutually beneficial relations that exist between Nigeria and the State of Qatar added that the project is in furtherance of the FCTA’s productive collaboration with international non-governmental organisations. He stated the project is a partnership between the FCTA and Qatar Charity and the financial cost will be borne entirely by the NGO while the FCTA provides the land.

Bello however expressed optimism that on completion, the estate will complement the efforts of the FCTA in the development of the Wassa District.

The Country Director of Qatar Charity, Mr Hamdi Elsayed, said the estate is being constructed on about 13 hectares of land and has a planned completion period of 12 months. According to Elsayed,  the estate will contain 200 units of two bedroom houses, a school, a vocational training center, shops, and recreational facilities and other amenities.

He said benefitting widows and orphans will not own the houses allocated to them permanently but will remain as occupants until such a time when they will no longer need them and will be allocated to other beneficiaries.