The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has pledged the commitment of the FCT Administration to work with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Capacity Development for Nutrition Improvement in the FCT (CADNIP) and the upgrading of Integrated Urban Development Master Plan of Abuja.
The minister made the pledge when he received the Japan Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, who led a delegation from JICA on a courtesy visit to the FCTA.
The minister said nutrition was very good for health, education and agriculture in the FCT, stressing that the FCT administration would look into possible ways of increasing budgetary allocation toward nutrition.
He said that the FCTA would play its part to ensure that the project for the urban development of Abuja comes to fruition.
“I like the presentation of how far you have gone with the nutrition program. We can see that there are a lot of improvement and we will want to say that for the 2025 budget we will try as much as we can to see if we can improve on our budgeting system for that.
“Nutrition is very key for health, education and also very key for Agriculture, so if we add more, it will go a long way in improving the standard of these three major sectors.
“On Regional Planning, you can be rest assured that, just like you stated what you expect from us, we assure you that the three items which you have itemised under your expectations from FCTA, be assured that we will do it as quickly as possible.. For us as head of the FCTA, be rest assured that it is a project that we are keen and committed to and we will do all we can to see that the project comes to fruition,” he said.
The minister commended the ambassador for his efforts towards stopping open defecation in the FCT, and expressed hope that the envoy would continue the good work.
Also speaking, the Japan Ambassador to Nigeria said the visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Japan.
He said the visit was also to intimate the minister of the project to end open defecation in the FCT.
