By Emmanuella Oghenetega
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has on Monday, commissioned officially the Greater Abuja Water Supply Network, lauding the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike and the entire FCT Administration for its delivery on vital infrastructure.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President said, that water infrastructure is not only a technical milestone; It is about ensuring that no part of Abuja is left behind in the national developmental agenda.
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to international partners, especially the People’s Republic of China, for their invaluable support, saying “Together, we are showing the world that partnership built on mutual respect and shared prosperity can deliver real impact”.
He urged residents and stakeholders to protect the investment, use water wisely, and collaborate with the government to ensure its sustainability.
The President also used the occasion to extend his deepest sympathies to the people of Benue State over the recent killings of about 200 people, pledging a visit to the State on Wednesday while calling for peace and harmony.
“While I sympathize with the Benue people, I’ve spoken to the Governor; the leadership and people of Benue should accept our condolences and try very consciously to maintain peace and harmony among themselves.
“I’ve always said that we are one single huge family living in the same house, in different rooms… We should be able to manage our anger and frustrations. I sympathize with those who have lost their lives. I will adjust my programme and go see Benue people on Wednesday”, President Tinubu stated.
Earlier in his remarks, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, recalled the directive given by the President; to prioritize the completion of the Greater Abuja Water Supply project, among others, and expressed profound appreciation to the President and the National Assembly for their consistent support.
He explained that the project, awarded in 2017 at a cost of $470 million under the Partnership of African Development Initiative, was 85% funded by the Chinese government, with the remaining 15% covered by the Federal Government and the FCT Administration for Loops 1, 2, 5, and 6.
“We want to sincerely thank you that under this administration, this job has been completed and today you are commissioning the Greater Abuja Water supply network,” Wike stated.
He also announced that procurement is underway for a new agreement with Chinese overseas construction giant, CGC, to extend water provision to rural areas and satellite communities, including Bwari, Kubwa, and Karu, and assured of its timely completion.
Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Zhang Yi, while offering congratulatory remarks to Nigeria’s Federal Government, said that, the Greater Abuja Water Supply project, financed majorly by the China Exim Bank, symbolizes the strong friendship and consistent support between Nigeria and China.
He added that the completion of the project had tripled the city’s daily water capacity, providing clean and reliable drinking water to FCT residents.
Delivering the Vote of Thanks, the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, also acknowledged the support of the President to the welfare of FCT residents and the leadership of Wike, asserting that the project’s completion demonstrates the federal government’s inclusive development policy.
The Greater Abuja Water Supply project involves the construction of extensive water supply pipe networks, specifically Loops 1, 2, 5, and 6, which are set to improve water access for 50 districts within the FCT, aligning with the city’s masterplan.
