HipCity unveils development charter for Bwari

A non-governmental organisation, HipCity Innovation Centre, has unveiled a Development Charter for residents of Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The document which was designed by members of the community is expected to address pressing social and infrastructural challenges in the council. Executive Director of HipCity Innovation Centre, Bassey Bassey, described the […]

A non-governmental organisation, HipCity Innovation Centre, has unveiled a Development Charter for residents of Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The document which was designed by members of the community is expected to address pressing social and infrastructural challenges in the council.

Executive Director of HipCity Innovation Centre, Bassey Bassey, described the Charter as a manifesto of rights and dignity and a tool to strengthen accountability between residents and government.

He said: “Bwari is one of Abuja’s fastest growing councils, yet its people face enormous challenges—unaffordable housing, inadequate transportation, weak service delivery, and exclusion of vulnerable groups.

“This Charter is the response of the residents themselves—crafted from months of dialogue with women, youth, and persons with disabilities. It captures their realities and their vision for an inclusive, sustainable Bwari.”

The Charter, developed through extensive consultations, is expected to serve as both a guide for government policymakers and an advocacy tool for residents.

Bassey said the charter aligned with Nigeria’s national development priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), positioning Bwari as a potential model for inclusive city development.

He called for a stronger collaboration between community members and government authorities, emphasising that cities must be built around people and their rights, not just physical infrastructure.

“The Charter before us is a roadmap—let us walk it together. Because a city is more than its buildings, it is its people, its rights, and its possibilities,” he said.

The unveiling brought together government representatives, community leaders, civil society organisations, all of whom welcomed the Charter as a step toward ensuring no resident of Bwari is left behind.