Tinubu’s Water Supply Effort Will Cover All Satellite Towns – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Dr Nyesom Wike, has assured residents that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to potable water supply will reach all satellite towns before the end of his tenure.

Speaking at the expansion/flag-off ceremony of Lot 1 of the satellite town water supply project in Bwari, Wike said the initiative demonstrates the President’s sincerity in fulfilling promises made to FCT residents.

“By the time Mr. President’s full four-year tenure expires, we will have touched all the satellite towns by providing them clean, potable water. This is not politics; this is implementation,” Wike declared.

The Minister recalled stakeholders’ meetings held across the six area councils in 2023, noting that the water project was one of the president’s major commitments.

He revealed that President Tinubu had already approved the release of 50 percent of the contract sum to CGC Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the project, to ensure timely delivery.

According to Wike, the water project will not only end residents’ reliance on untreated boreholes but also create at least 1,600 direct and indirect jobs.

He urged traditional rulers, youths, and community members to protect the infrastructure and support the contractors.

“This will not be an abandoned project. We will start and we will complete it. Agreement is agreement,” Wike stressed.

The Minister further announced that after Bwari and Karu, similar projects would be extended to Kuje and Kwali in the next budget cycle, and eventually to Gwagwalada and Abaji before 2027.

In her remarks, the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud commended President Tinubu for prioritizing essential services that improve citizens’ well-being.

She noted that access to potable water would enhance public health, reduce the burden of waterborne diseases, and improve the quality of life for residents.

“We remain grateful to Mr. President for his visionary leadership and for placing critical infrastructure like water supply at the heart of his Renewed Hope Agenda,” Mahmoud said.

Giving the overview, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority ,FCDA, Richard Dauda, explained that the project aligns with the FCT Regional Master Plan, which emphasizes the parallel development of the city centre and satellite towns.

He disclosed that the scheme covers over 198 kilometers of pipelines, ranging from 60mm to 600mm in diameter, with extensive civil works, fittings, and distribution networks.

“When completed, the project will serve not only Bwari Township but also Ushafa, Kuduru, Jigo, Kuchuku, and adjoining communities, thereby improving the health and socio-economic lives of the people,” Dauda said.

The FCDA boss added that beyond Bwari and Karu, the project would eventually extend to other area councils, ensuring that no community is left behind in the President’s development agenda.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji