A call to save FCT streets’ flowers, grasses

It is a known fact that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja is always listed among the most beautiful and fast growing federal capitals not only in Africa but the world and a fair share of this credit must go to the green nature, skyscrapers and many other infrastructural developments going on in the city. […]

It is a known fact that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja is always listed among the most beautiful and fast growing federal capitals not only in Africa but the world and a fair share of this credit must go to the green nature, skyscrapers and many other infrastructural developments going on in the city.

Administrations come and go with their policies that make the capital city unique  and beautiful. The administration of Muhammad Musa Bello chose continuity rather than fresh policies, which is a good development for the city’s Master Plan.

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Streets in the city are mostly beautified by the flowers and grasses, which in some streets leave one struggling to ascertain whether it is actually Abuja or New York.

But while the present administration is making efforts at providing  infrastructure, most especially roads, and also ensuring that the city looks clean, it seems it is gradually forgetting one thing that makes the city more beautiful: some flowers and even trees planted years ago are gradually dying due to neglect and some other human factors.

As a final year Botany student, this makes me feel bad and uncomfortable about what the future holds for these flowers, grasses and even trees which make the city more beautiful.

Flowers are just like all other animals with souls, implying that they need to be taken care of. Just like a human body that nourishes everyday, these street flowers ought to be put in that line. And if not on daily basis, due to our own peculiarities, they need to be fed either weekly or monthly, so that their lives can be sustained as well.

Flowers and green grasses that make many streets look good even in dry season are now dying.

For trees, it is also almost the same as many human factors are affecting them. Some have even been cut down.

For now, the only streets that have good looking and healthy flowers and trees are in some parts of Wuse 2 and Maitama. Also in Asokoro, the situation is okay, thanks to owners of the mansions who are also complementing government’s effort.

When I saw masquerade tree (Dogon Yaro) on Murtala Muhammad Way (Kubwa road), I felt extremely happy. However, that happiness was short-lived as most of them have turned brown due to lack of watering.

Anyone driving from Kubwa will notice that the masquerade trees planted from around Dutse Junction up until around Mpape Junction have few days to live as, since the last rain of 2020, they have not seen water.

It is against the foregoing that I felt disturbed and pained, leaving me with no option but to put down this passionate appeal to the FCT administration to look into the issue of taking care of the flowers, grasses and trees which are among things used in ranking the city and obviously beautifying the city, making it cool and also regulate heat and the impending climate change.

I also urge the FCT minister, Mal. Muhammad Musa Bello, to also enforce the law punishing anyone found doing anything that endangers the lives of flowers, grasses and trees in the capital city.

Aisha Hamisu Abubakar (Mrs) Department of Botany, Federal University, Dutse