By Daniel Tyokua
President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the loops 1,2,5 & 6 of greater Abuja water supply project that was awarded since eight years ago but didn’t take off.
The project was conceived in 2017 during the administration of the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking on Monday, fourth day of the projects Commissioning program in Abuja to mark his two years in office, on the Nnamidi Azikiwe International Airport Road, Tinubu said the water scheme was part of his administration’s efforts to ensure safe, sustainable and sufficient water to the homes, institutions and communities across the territory.
Tinubu said water remains human right and a foundation for public health, urban development and economic growth.
He said water infrastructure is not only a technical milestone but a moral one because of its equity.
Tinubu commended the Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike and his team for exhibiting a great virtue of leadership.
“Wike and his team has exhibited a very great virtue of leadership. This virtue is when a leader is very conscious of the need of his people and how he goes about, committed with dedication to do it. That’s what you have been exhibiting in FCT.
“I sincerely commend all of you. This water infrastructure is not only a technical milestone but a moral one because it is about equity, it is about ensuring that no part of Abuja is left behind in our national development agenda.
“The Greater Abuja Water Supply Network, the Loop 1, 2, 5 and 6, a monumental effort that will ensure safe, sustainable and sufficient water to the homes, institutions and communities across the capital city.
“Water is life, it is not a luxury, it is a basic human right and a foundation for public health, urban development and economic growth” Tinubu said.
In his remarks, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike commended President Tinubu for giving FCT Administration the necessary support to succeed in quest of the projects execution.
Wike disclosed that the contract was awarded in 2017 at the cost of $470m under the partnership of African Development Initiative.
He said the Chinese government provided 85 per cent while the federal government and FCT provided 15 percent that will take care of loops 1,2,5, and 6 under first phase of the project.
Wike explained that the project is not only limited to the Federal Capital City but will be extended to Karu, Kubwa and Bwari and other satellite towns in the next phase.
“This contract was awarded in 2017 at the cost of 470 million U.S. dollars. In 2017, under the partnership of African Development initiative, the Chinese government provided 85 percent, while the federal government and FCT provided 15 percent, which is to take care of loops 1, 2, 5, and 6.
“We want to sincerely thank you that, under this administration, the job has been completed, and today you are commissioning the water project.
“You didn’t only stop there. Last year, when you visited China, luckily for us, I was part of the delegation that went with you. There, FCT also signed an agreement with CGC to provide water to rural areas. I want to say today that we are almost completed with the procurement process to give water to Bwari, give water to Kubwa, give water to Karu, and some of the communities”.
