By Omoniyi David
Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Nyesom Wike, could not hide his excitement on Monday as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated the $470 million Greater Abuja Water Supply Project eight years after it was awarded.
The inauguration, held in Abuja to mark President Tinubu’s second year in office, signals the commencement of full operations for the long-delayed water project.
Wike explained that the project was awarded in 2017 under a partnership with the African Development Initiative to cover Loops One, Two, Five, and Six of the capital’s water supply system.
He noted that the Chinese government provided 85 percent of the funding, while the Federal Government and the FCT Administration contributed the remaining 15 percent.
According to him, the project was completed within two years of the Tinubu administration, following a presidential directive to improve water access in the FCT.
“Although the project was awarded in 2017, your administration has completed it. Today, we are inaugurating it to improve water supply in the city,” Wike said.
The minister also recalled that in 2024, the FCT Administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with a Chinese company to extend water provision to satellite towns.
“I want to say today that we have almost completed the procurement process to provide water to residents of Bwari, Kubwa, Karu, and other communities,” he added.
“So, Mr. President, you are not only providing water to residents in the city; you are also bringing it to people in the satellite towns.”
