The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has performed the foundation stone laying ceremony for a housing estate for widows and orphans in the nation’s capital.
This is to provide decent housing and bring succor to the most vulnerable members of society,
The estate is being constructed by Qatar Charity, a Qatari non-governmental organization (NGO), in the Wassa District of Abuja.
The Minister said that the project was significant as it represents the cordial and mutually beneficial relations that exists between Nigeria and the State of Qatar.
Bello also revealed that the project which is in furtherance of the FCT Administration’s productive collaboration with international non-governmental organisations is a partnership between the FCTA and Qatar Charity, as its financial cost will be borne entirely by the NGO while the FCTA provided the land.
He, however, expressed optimism that on completion, the estate will complement the efforts of the FCT Administration 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 Housing estate, will contain 200 units of two bedroom houses, a school, a vocational training center, shops, and recreational facilities amongst other amenities.
Mr Hamdi also revealed that benefitting widows and orphans will not own the houses allocated to them but will remain as occupants until such a time when they will no longer need them, in which case they will be allocated to other beneficiaries.