Wike Reveals Plans To Provide Water Supply To FCT Satellite Towns

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has revealed plans by the FCT Administration to provide water supply to key satellite towns of the FCT.

Addressing journalists during a routine inspection of ongoing projects in the Abuja city center, Barr. Wike disclosed that the FCT satellite town water project is in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Minister stated that project is in addition to the ongoing efforts to provide water supply to parts of the Abuja city centre and FCT Area Councils, adding that adequate provisions have been made in the budget for this purpose.

It will be recalled that after the visit to China with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, late last year, the Minister had signed MOUs with some Chinese companies to extend water supply to some Area Councils of the FCT.

He added that his recent investment-driven trip to China was to consolidate on the satellite town water project.

According to the FCT Minister, “You remember last year, when Mr. President visited China, we were fortunate to be part of that visit. And part of the agreement we signed was the provision of water to some of the satellite towns.

“And as I speak to you, Mr. President has also included the funding in the national budget, which has been passed. We have also included in our statutory budget which has been laid before the National Assembly. That is a critical project for Mr. President. Part of our inauguration this second year is the Abuja city water supply, which will be done along the airport road.

“But having done that, what about the satellite towns? Mr. President said we must also provide water within the satellite towns. So, we are starting with Bwari, Karu and parts of Kubwa. It is now with the Bureau of Public Procurement where the procurement is ongoing and the company that is doing it will be CGC, because they are the ones doing the Greater Abuja Water Supply. So, things are moving on well to the glory of God. All these is also because we have a strong support from Mr. President. So, be assured that things are going on well”.

The Minister also provided updates on the projects he inspected, including the ongoing renovation of the Abuja International Conference Centre and the construction of the Arterial Road N5, from Lifecamp junction to Ring Road III, both slated for commissioning during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-year anniversary celebrations.

He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work, especially at the ICC and commended the contractor, Julius Berger for the good job.

“I want to commend Julius Berger for the quality job done at the International Conference Centre. It is what Abuja deserves,” Barr. Wike said. “Mr. President directed that everything must be done to bring it to a standard that Nigerians will be proud of. This is leadership. Similarly, Julius Berger has assured us that they will hand over the Arterial Road N5 project as planned. We appreciate their commitment and quality of work.”

Addressing concerns regarding health and education infrastructure, Barr. Wike said adequate provisions have been made in the budget for the provision of infrastructure in these sectors.

He explained that 85 percent of the FCT’s 2025 statutory budget, recently presented to the National Assembly by President Tinubu, is earmarked for the completion of ongoing projects, including those in the health and education sectors, adding that the education sector alone has capital projects worth no less than N140 billion.

According to the Minister, “When they say projects, it does not only mean road projects. So, education, health is part of the ongoing projects. Particularly in education, if you see the number of schools that are being renovated, I think the education sector has nothing less than N140 billion in terms of capital projects. So, they are ongoing projects. People should not think that ongoing projects is only road infrastructure. We have a lot of health facilities that we have started and we have to budget for them to be completed”.

Barr Wike also reiterated the FCT Administration’s commitment to ensure that all ongoing projects are completed to benefit the residents of Abuja, adding that the intention is to complete existing projects, not to award new ones.

He said, “It’s not to go and award new projects. Complete the ones that are there, let it not be abandoned project. What I have seen in people is that they want to be the ones awarding new projects. But that is not our intention. Our intention is to continue with what we saw. Government is a continuum. Its public funds and we will complete it. We are not here to say we awarded this or that. That’s why we say renewed hope agenda. All those hopes that are lost, we will bring it back”.

Share on:  Whatsapp  Twitter  Facebook