A frontline civic group, the Socio Economic Research and Development Centre, SERDEC has called on the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to address the economic injustice against the FCT Original Inhabitant in the distribution and Implementation of its 2022 Capital and Zonal Intervention Projects, also known as Constituency Projects.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Tijani Abdulkareem, the group stressed that it views the recently advertisement invitation to tender by the NDE dated Monday, June 13th 2022 in the national dailies for the implementation of NDEs 2022 capital project and zonal intervention constituency project as a gross deprivation, and serious economic injustice against the Original inhabitants of the FCT who have suffered decades of marginalization, discrimination and widespread neglect.
The group explained that out of the 310 empowerment projects on vocational and technical skills and those focusing on the provision of basic infrastructure for rural communities across the constituencies as listed out by the directorate for implementation in 2022, no project was earmarked for implementation across the rural communities of the FCT where indigenous groups whose lands were parceled out by Decree 6 of 1976 to make room for Nigerias capital lives. SERDEC noted that having been rendered stateless and vulnerable amidst the harsh impact of COVID-19 economic recession, government projects, programmes and policy should consider the plight of these marginalized people to pull them out of untold hardship and poverty.
The Executive Director, SERDEC Mr. Tijani Abdulkareem explained that the interest of local communities and marginalized groups needs to be at the core of project implementation and budgeting for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in the effort to build resilience, strong and better communities in the face of current economic recession faced by the country if we plan to reduce poverty and achieve the sustainable development goals.
Mr. Tijani urge the directorate to develop checklist for inclusive budgeting and ensure justice, equity, and the rule of law prevails in the distribution of constituency project implementation and also take proactive step in the implementation of its constituency projects to encourage inclusion while recognizing the need to protect the rights and interest of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in Nigeria.
Tijani Abdulkareem
Executive Director, Socio Economic Research and Development Centre, SERDEC