By Jude Adogbeji YOUNG
It is heartwarming that the FCT has started to regain its momentum in developmental strides in line with its master plan. The renewed vision and strides of the team currently at the helm of affairs should be exemplified as Nigeria as a whole should be in a guided hurry to attain the much-delayed and much-expected milestones.
In executing these milestones, the government, directly and indirectly, injects resources into the economy of the city and neighboring cities as well as the country at large.
This brings to mind the sorry state of Mpape. Mpape is a large, well-populated district within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It is a hilly area located opposite Maitama, across the expressway linking Asokoro and Kubwa. Mpape sits close to Maitama to the south and Katampe to the southwest. Areas to the south of Mpape just as you ascend the hills are already being called and labelled Maitama 2 or Maitama Extension.
Mpape has lots of potential. Its excellent location near Maitama, its hilly nature which provides panoramic views and plans for future development makes for an attractive investment space. Mpape falls under the administration of the Bwari Area Council.
Traveling along the expressway that links Asokoro to Kubwa, the Murtala Mohammed Expressway, approaching the Mpape junction just opposite Maitama, one is greeted by the poor state of the Mpape access road. It is massively dilapidated.
Going into Mpape, the entire road infrastructure needs speedy intervention with complete collapse at the Mpape market region. The heavy population of Mpape residents causes one to consider the construction of all internal roads. The street where the Mpape Divisional Police station is located off Kennedy Udeh Street is untarred causing a problem even for the police to respond to emergencies should there be any. All internal roads except for Pibe Road are untarred. Just as the main Mpape access road, Pibe road tar is also terribly dilapidated.
The environment is also of grave concern. The streets and general neigbourhood are very filthy. Right from the junction opposite Maitama. This makes for poor health living conditions and an eye sore. The dirtiness of the entire neigbourhood increases in degree as one makes progress further into the neigbourhood and probably is at its worst state ever in the Mpape market region. Mpape desperately needs an environmental recharge with clean well paved roads and sidewalks and trees and flowers planted.
The FCTA needs to mount pressure and demand responsible results from area councils especially the Bwari area council with regards to Mpape. It is unexplainable why a neigbourhood that sits atop the exclusive Maitama district should be allowed to represent squalor. It portends all shades of unacceptability and may even introduce a tint of insecurity or even an insecure feeling. The residents of Maitama will appreciate a better developed Mpape which will contribute more positively to their feeling of being secure in their neigbourhood. It is a live jungle in Mpape, the FCTA needs to act now.
Jude Adogbeji YOUNG [KSM] is a concerned resident of Mpape, FCT.