FCT - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Helpline unveils project to strengthen cultural rights of FCT original inhabitants

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Tue, 2025

Metro

Helpline unveils project to strengthen cultural rights of FCT original inhabitants

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By Philip Yatai

Helpline Social Support Initiative (HSSI), an NGO, has unveiled a two-year project to strengthen the cultural rights of the Original Inhabitants (OIs) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Unveiling the project at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the HSSI Project Manager, Mr Onoja Arome, said that the move was to preserve the cultural heritage of the OIs.

Arome said that the project would be supported by the MacArthur Foundation, through the Resource Centre for Human Right and Civic Education (CHRICED).

He explained that the project was designed to train 100 vulnerable women and youths in cultural attire production.

This, according to him, is to increase the cultural identity awareness of the OIs and create job opportunities through skill acquisition in arts and craft.

He added that the project was to advocate the resettlement and adequate compensation of OIs whose land had been encroached upon or taken over by developers without adequate compensation.

He said “it will also create awareness of their presence as OIs whose voices are gradually going into
extinction.

“These, among others, are what the Helpline Social Support Initiative shall be engaged with in the next 18 months of the project.”

Arome said that the 1973 decree that created the FCT came with a lot of consequences for the OIs.

He noted that the OIs were forced to relinquish their ancestral land for the development of the nation’s capital.

He added that “the development scattered the indigenous people, with many of them losing most of their economic trees and farmlands, thereby causing high unemployment rate among the OIs.

“This was why the MacArthur Foundation stepped in, through CHRICED, and in 2021 supported HSSI to implement the first phase of the project.”

The manager said that the project recorded huge success with a total of 200 vulnerable women and youths trained and empowered to preserve their cultural identity.

He said the beneficiaries were now making a living by producing cultural attire as entrepreneurs.

On awareness creation, Arome added that 39 jingles were produced and aired in OIs local languages, while advocacy visits to the department of resettlement and compensation were carried out.

He said “today, we make bold to reiterate that CHRICED has deemed it fit to continue on the project, thereby supporting us again to continue with the second phase of the project.

“We hereby call on stakeholders in this venture to empathise and sympathise with the OIs and join us in this venture to create an incredible impact that will out-leave us and usher new generations to a life of ease in the FCT.” (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Tinubu’s govt. constructs 150km roads in FCT satellite towns – Wike

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Mon, 2025

Metro

Tinubu’s govt. constructs 150km roads in FCT satellite towns – Wike

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By Philip Yatai

The administration of President Bola Tinubu has constructed not less than 150- kilometres of roads in satellite towns of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between 2024 and 2025.

The FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike disclosed this in Abuja on Monday, during the inauguration of the newly constructed rural road from A2 Junction (Abuja-Lokoja Expressway) to Pai community in Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports road was among the 17 projects executed by the FCT Administration and being inaugurated to celebrate Tinubu’s second year in office.

Wike said that the 150km roads consisted of both completed and ongoing projects.

“This shows that the emphasis is not just to improve infrastructure in the city, but also to improve life and other infrastructure in satellite towns,” he said.

He explained that the 15-km A2 to Pai road was executed under emergency intervention after the contract for the construction of Pai to Gumani was awarded.

He added that the Pai to Gumani, another 15-km road, was ongoing and would be completed before the end of the year.

The Minister added that a 13 km road from Gumani to Yangoji had been equally awarded.

“At the end of the day, along the stretch of this road, we will have done about 45 km,” he said.

The minister equally recalled that Tinubu approved six emergency roads in the six area councils of the FCT in the 2024 National Budget.

According to him, the six road projects had been completed and inaugurated in 2024.

“When we were appointed in August 2023, in our supplementary budget, we included six emergency roads in the six area councils, and you provided funds for them in the national budget.

“I want to inform you that these roads have all been completed and inaugurated.

“We are providing these data so that doubting Thomas can go and check whether they are in existence or they are just mere propaganda.”

He identified the roads as the 9km Paikon Kore to Ibwa Road in Gwagwalada Area Council, and 7.2 km Gaba and Tokulo Road in Bwari Area Council.

Also completed and inaugurated were the 5km dualised Kuje township road from Tipper Garage to LEA Secretariat in Kuje Area Council and the 11km Sukuku-Ebo-Yangoji. Road, in Kwali Area Council.

Others are the 5km access road to Saburi I and II in Abuja Municipal Area Council and another 5-kilometre road in Abaji Area Council.

“For the 2025, we will also inaugurate the completed 10km of Aguma Palace, Radio Nigeria and Market Road in Gwagwalada.

“There is also the 18km Nyanya Karshi dual carriageway.

“We are equally going to inaugurate the 7.4 km Dutse Alhaji to Usuma Dam Road and the dualised Ushafa to War College and Army Checkpoint Road, a 16.4 km road and other roads in Bwari Area Council.

“If you calculate the ongoing roads and those completed, within the satellite towns, we have constructed not less than 150 km of roads,” the minister said.

He said that the roads were strategic not only in improving the lives of rural dwellers and economic activities but also in improving security response in satellite towns. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Tinubu promises inclusive devt. to uplift lives of Nigerians

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Mon, 2025

Metro

Tinubu promises inclusive devt. to uplift lives of Nigerians

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By Philip Yatai

President Bola Tinubu says his administration will ensure a balanced and inclusive development targeted at lifting the lives of Nigerians.

Tinubu stated this in Abuja on Monday, while inaugurating the newly constructed rural road, from A2 Junction (Abuja-Lokoja Expressway) to Pai community in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The road was among the 17 projects executed by the FCT and being inaugurated to celebrate Tinubu’s second year in office.

Tinubu said that the A2 to Pai road project was one of many that his administration was delivering across the country, “and we will not stop.

“We will continue until every Nigerian can feel the touch of meaningful governance”.

He, however, said that road and infrastructure development were meaningless if they were not developed for the benefit of the people.

“Indeed, this project will continue to elevate our lives if this administration continues to prioritize infrastructure development in all zones.

“The inauguration of the newly constructed road from A2 Junction on Abuja-Lokoja Expressway to Pia town is both symbolic and strategic.

“It is strategic because it opens a new corridor for agriculture, commerce, education, mobility, and other areas, strengthening our national economy from the grassroots up,” he said.

Tinubu added that rural communities such as Pia make an important contribution to Nigeria’s social and economic fabric, especially in food production and local enterprises.

He, however, pointed out that the community potential had been hindered by poor road access, isolation, and neglect for far too long.

“Today, that narrative is changing.

“To the people of Pia, this is your road. I urge the community to take ownership of this infrastructure, guide it, maintain it, and use it to the fullest.

“Let it be a pathway to growth and a bridge to a better life for the youth, farmers, traders, and students who will move with great ease,” he said.

He commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike and his team for what he described as a “wonderful job”.

He added that Wike was thinking about the people and their needs and thinking about the country he represents.

“Nyesom Wike and his team, you are doing a good job for the underserved rural areas.

“Thank you, Nyesom Wike, for all you are doing. We greatly appreciate the efforts you and your team have put in place to achieve this.

“I would not have been here and noted what is here if not for your efforts,” he said.

Earlier, Wike explained that the 15-km A2 to Pai road was executed under emergency intervention after the contract for the construction of Pai to Gumani was awarded.

“We awarded the contract for a road project from Pai to Gumani. So, when we were coming for the flag -off, I was asking, where are we going to flag-off the road?

“I now ask, how do we get to that Pai, when this road is not constructed? It doesn’t make sense.

“All we would have done is, okay, let us construct the road from A2 to Pai, later we can construct from Pai to Gomani, and I thank God that today we are inaugurating it,” he said.

He added that the Pai to Gumani, a 15-km road, was ongoing and would be completed before the end of the year.

He equally said that a 13 km road from Gumani to Yangoje was equally awarded.

On his part, the Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said that the road project was awarded to Zeberced Group in November 2024.

Zulkiflu said that the road was already uplifting the wellbeing of the people and stimulating economic activities.

Also, the Village Head of Pai, Alhaji Sani Abubakar thanked Tinubu for appointing Wike as the minister of the FCT saying, “he is the right person for the job”.

He said that communities along the road have been facing challenges of transporting their farm produce, adding the constructed road was already improving economic activities in the area. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Wike pledges land for farming to tackle food insecurity in FCT

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Mon, 2025

Agriculture

Wike pledges land for farming to tackle food insecurity in FCT

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, on Monday, promised to allocate lands in satellite towns to farmers for agricultural production to combat food insecurity.

Wike made the promise in Abuja on Monday, during the inauguration of the newly constructed rural road from A2 Junction (Abuja-Lokoja Expressway) to Pai community in Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

The road was among the 17 projects executed by the FCT Administration and being inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu to celebrate his second year in office.

The minister, who said that the road network had opened up the hitherto locked rural areas to economic activities, particularly agriculture, reaffirmed FCT Administration’s support to farmers.

“Look at the vast area of land and we are talking about food insecurity.

“With these vast lands, those of you who want to be farmers, real farmers, we are willing to pay compensation to communities and give you farmlands to cultivate.

“This will help us to come out of the food insecurity which the Federal Government is trying to solve,” he said.

Wike, however, said that only real farmers would be considered and not political farmers.

According to him, political farmers will keep the land as speculators and when development comes to the area, they will find ways to sell the lands.

Similarly, Tinubu noted the untap potential of the vast arable land in satellite towns and pledged his administration support to boost agricultural productivity.

“On our way here, we saw opportunities, prosperity, and the need for the establishment of ranches and rural development to uplift the lives of our rural people.

“I observed the need for our great farmers and livestock owners to establish opportunities for grazing and do what is necessary.

“We will help you. We will work with you.

“We will combat what used to be a liability and a source of conflict and turn it into a means of prosperity,” Tinubu said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Wike promises infrastructure in Wassa for relocation of Apo mechanics

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Fri, 2025

Metro

Wike promises infrastructure in Wassa for relocation of Apo mechanics

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has promised to provide critical infrastructure in Wassa District to facilitate the relocation of Apo Mechanics traders and dealers to the area.

Wike disclosed this in Abuja on Friday, while inaugurating a committee to facilitate the relocation of the traders and dealers to their permanent site in Wassa District.

The minister, who will chair the committee, has the Coordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Director of Development Control, Director of Land, Director of Urban and Regional Planning as members.

Other members of the committee are the Director of Survey and Director of Resettlement and Compensation.

Wike noted that several administrations had promised to evacuate the traders and dealers occupying a section of the Outer Southern Expressway corridor to their permanent site in Wassa but failed.

He said that the President Bola Tinubu’s administration had promised to relocate the traders and dealers, adding that the administration had begun the processes to fulfil the promise.

“It’s been promise on promise since 2011 without fulfilment, but Tinubu has promised, and the process has begun.

“As part of the process, on June 27, together with the leaders of Apo Mechanics, we will all visit Wassa, to see the permanent site for the relocation.

“This will enable us to decide on the needed critical infrastructure to be put in place to facilitate your relocation.

“This collective effort is to ensure that Tinubu’s promise is fulfilled,” he said.

The minister advised the traders and the dealers against fighting among themselves, stressing that they will achieve more if they work together.

He pointed out that one of the businesses of the government was to make people happy, adding that the FCT Administration would do everything possible to make the Apo traders and dealers happy. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Tinubu lauds Wike for transforming Abuja to world class city

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Fri, 2025

Metro

Tinubu lauds Wike for transforming Abuja to world class city

142 total views today

By Philip Yatai

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for keying into his vision of developing Abuja to a world class capital city.

Tinubu made the commendation in Abuja on Friday, while inaugurating the first phase of Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way), from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III, to celebrate his second year in office.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, the President said that the Arterial Road N5 represented what Nigerians can achieve when vision meets action.

He said that the road represented a symbol of collective progress and commitment to a better future.

“It reflects on our commitment to deliver a modern infrastructure that improves the daily lives of our people.

“With the inauguration of this road, traffic circulation around the districts of Dape, Gwarimpa 1, Kado, Karsana, Idu, and Mbora will greatly ease.

“It will further decongest traffic gridlock around the life camp junction and adjoining neighbourhoods,” he said.

Tinubu also commended the FCT administration, the residents and stakeholders who have been integral to the project.

“Thank you, Mr Wike and all the residents and stakeholders who have made this project a reality.

“I also congratulate the FCT administration for keying into our vision of developing the nation’s capital to a level comparable to that of the world’s top capital cities,” he said.

On his part, Wike urged resident of the FCT to bear with the inconveniences caused by the ongoing infrastructural development, noting that development comes with challenges.

He said that the contract for the extension of the Arterial Road N5 was awarded by the Federal Executive Council in September 2024, but work commenced in October.

He said that the contract was awarded to Julius Berger in two phases, adding that the first Phase was inaugurated, while the second phase would be inaugurated before the end of 2025.

Wike commended the affected communities who lost their houses to the road project for their understanding and support.

He said that compensation was paid to both affected indigenes and non-indigenes in line with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the minister, conversation is ongoing with community leaders to pay them compensation to be able to extend the road to Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.

He commended the President and the National Assembly for identifying with the FCT.

Earlier, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said that the road was a six-lane dual carriageway with a parking lane, making it eight lanes.

Dauda said that the road was one of the major inter-districts roads that traversed several districts in the city.

“As provided in the FCT Master Plan, the Arterial Road N5 starts from the Central Business District, International Conference Centre, passes by the NPC towers and traverses through Wuse District in Phase I.

“It continues through Utako and Jabi District in Phase II and up to Dape and Gwarinpa Districts in Phase III.

“Future development will extend the road up to Phase IV,” he said.

He said that Phase I and II had been fully developed, adding that the potion being inaugurated was in Phase III section of the road, from Life Camp Junction up to Ring Road III. (NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Tax: Wike says ‘big men’ remain FCT’s biggest problem

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Thu, 2025

Metro

Tax: Wike says ‘big men’ remain FCT’s biggest problem

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says big men (rich people) residing in Abuja remain FCT’s biggest problem in voluntary tax compliance for development.

Wike stated this during the inauguration of the newly constructed Collector Road CN2 (Zakari A. Kyari Street), in Abuja on Thursday, by President Bola Tinubu to celebrate his second year in office.

The road, from Arterial Road N11 (Ahmadu Bello Way) in Mabushi to Katampe District, leading to Judges Quarters and other connecting roads were constructed by the FCT Administration.

The minister said that the big men living in the FCT do not like paying taxes.

He, however, expressed dismay that the same big men pay their taxes and ground rent voluntarily in London, the United States of America and other foreign countries.

He said that the CN2 road and other connecting roads in Katampe District were executed with taxes and ground rents paid by responsible residents.

“For those who said we sealed their houses for not paying a ground rent, see the value; see the product of paying a ground rent.

“If you don’t pay, nobody will provide this infrastructure because the only thing the city has is just to collect taxes.

“People say Abuja is rich. How rich is it?” he asked.

He explained that what Abuja collects from the Federation Account was one per cent of what was due to the Federal Government every month.

“So, assuming that the federal government gets N800 billion every month. One percent of N800 billion is N8 billion Naira and N8 billion is not enough to pay salaries.

“Our salary today is not less than N13 billion because of the minimum wage increase.

“So, if we only depend on one per cent of what the federal government gets every month, it means that we can only pay salaries, not to talk about carrying out infrastructure.

“That’s why we’re very aggressive in saying you cannot enjoy infrastructure free of charge. You have to pay.

“It has nothing to do with ‘I belong to party A; I belong to party B, I belong to party C’,” he said.

He urged Tinubu, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Mr Benjamin Kalu, to talk to FCT residents on the need to pay their taxes.

This, he said, would enable the FCT Administration to deliver more infrastructure in the territory for the good of all.

He reminded FCT residents, particularly big men, that whoever has land in the territory and has not paid ground rent should pay or their names would be published as defaulters in newspapers.

He particularly pointed out that no poor man has the financial resources to build a house in Katampe and Mabushi, adding that those building houses in the areas were rich men.

“Mr Deputy Speaker, see what we are talking about. If you know you have land here and you have not paid, I will publish your name that you have not paid.

“It has nothing to do that I want to embarrass you, no. We need money to do the work that we are doing.

“No poor man can do these houses. No poor man. These houses are being built by rich men. So, you have to pay so we can carry out the job of delivering critical infrastructure.

“We need people to pay their taxes so that we will carry out development in the interest of our people,” he added.

Earlier, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said that the project was executed by CGC and was flagged off in October, 2024.

Dauda said that the CN2 road was a dual carriageway of two lanes each while the other roads were single carriageway.

He added that road projects were executed to provide infrastructure and open up the Katampe District for development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that shortly after the inauguration, Wike inspected Judges Quarters under construction in Katampe and the N5 Road (Obafemi Awolowo Way) from Life Camp to Ring Road III scheduled for inauguration on Friday. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Deputy Speaker hails Wike’s prudent investment of public resources

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Thu, 2025

Metro

Deputy Speaker hails Wike’s prudent investment of public resources

142 total views today

By Philip Yatai

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, for prudent investment of public resources to impact the lives of residents.

Kalu gave the commendation during the inauguration of the newly constructed Collector Road CN2 (Zakari Kyari Street), in Abuja on Thursday, by President Bola Tinubu to celebrate his second year in office.

The road, from Arterial Road N11 (Ahmadu Bello Way) in Mabushi to Judges Quarters in Katampe District, and other roads were constructed by the FCT Administration.

The deputy speaker, who represented Tinubu at the event, said that the parliament was proud of the FCT minister.

He expressed gratitude to Wike for his tireless efforts in delivering infrastructure projects in the FCT.

According to him, Wike’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the implementation of FCT’s budget is commendable.

“His ability to deliver projects within budget and timeframe is a testament to his leadership and vision.

“I said so because, oftentimes the parliament is worried when we make budget appropriations on whether the report of the budget implementation will reflect what the intention of the parliamentarians was at the time of making the appropriation law.

“Last year you inaugurated several projects and this year, again, you have given us 17 days to inaugurate projects.

“We are proud of you.

“We want to assure you that we are never afraid of approving your proposals when they come before the parliament because we know you know how to invest government resources to be able to impact the lives of the people that we govern.”

The lawmaker said it was not only Tinubu that was impressed with Wike’s services, “the parliament is impressed with your services.

“You have projected in reality not in theory the aspirations of Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.

“You have steadily, continuously and diligently proven that the principle guiding the agenda was not mere theory, and for that we are grateful,” he said.

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

UNIPORT confers honorary degree of Doctor of Science on Wike

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Wed, 2025

Metro

UNIPORT confers honorary degree of Doctor of Science on Wike

152 total views today

By Philip Yatai

Abuja, June 18, 2025 (NAN) The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (DSc Honoris Causa) on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike.

The Vice-Chancellor of university, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, disclosed during the presentation of the conferment letter to Wike, at his residence in Abuja on Wednesday.

Georgewill added that the official decoration and presentation of the certificate would be on July 26, as part of activities to celebrate the university’s 50th anniversary.

He explained that the Act of the university empowered it to award honorary doctorate degrees to distinguished Nigerians who have contributed immensely to the growth of the nation.

He said that the university’s Senate approved the conferment based on Wike’s track record in public service and contributions to the development of the university and Rivers.

“Today marks the beginning of the 50th anniversary celebration of the university of Port Harcourt, and there is no better place to commence the ceremony than where we are today.

“You are also a distinguished alumnus of the university, and so the university is honouring you not only for your service but also your service to the University of Port Harcourt.

“Your footprints are just there for everybody to see in the university.

“We are proud to be associated with you and the university is indeed very proud that you attended it; you have a DNA of that institution in you,’’ Georgewill said.

Mrs Gloria Chindah, Registrar and Secretary to Council had earlier conveyed the confinement of the honorary doctorate degree on the minister in a letter dated June 10.

“It is with profound please that I write to convey to you the decision of the Senate of the University of Port Harcourt at its Extra-Ordinary meeting held on Tuesday, 3rd June, 2025 to confer on you, an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (DSc Honoris Causa) in recognition of your visionary leadership and outstanding contributions to governance in Rivers and Nigeria.

“The conferment will be made at the 35th Convocation Ceremony of the university, which is scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 26, 2025,” she said.

Presenting the letter, the university’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, thanked Wike for being a good ambassador of the university.

Ohuabunwa said: “The university is very proud of you because in every endeavour of your life you have made us proud.

“When you were the Chairman and Security Head of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers, you defended the university.

“When you were the minister of education, you attracted great developments to the university.

“Today the Faculty of Law is in the university because Nyesom Wike was the minister of education.”

He added that Wike did not only bring the faculty of law to the university, but he also built it.

“As if that was not enough, when you became the governor of Rivers, you made an indelible mark and built one of the best Convocation Arenas in West Africa.

“Few weeks back, when we came to congratulate you on your appointment as FCT Minister, you donated a multimedia centre for the convocation arena,” he said.

He informed the minister that the convocation arena would be inaugurated on July 25, as part of the university’s golden jubilee.

Responding, Wike thanked the university for the honour saying “for me, it is the university that gave me everything.

“I am a proud alumnus of the university where I first studied political science before studying another degree in law”.

He explained that as the then minister of education, he wondered why a conventional university did not have a faculty of law.

Wike added that he felt bad and made it a point of duty for the university to have the faculty, including the Faculty of Social Sciences, to separate it from the Faculty of Humanities.

He added that he equally built one of the best convocation arenas for the university because it deserves the best.

“If I am in a position to do more for my university, I will continue to do it.

“I am happy and I accepted the offer on behalf of my family, my wife and my friends and promised to be there to celebrate the golden jubilee of the university.

“I will continue to partner and support the university,” Wike said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Completion of 0m greater Abuja water supply project excites Wike

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Mon, 2025

Metro

Completion of $470m greater Abuja water supply project excites Wike

200 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, expressed excitement for completing the 470 million dollars Greater Abuja Water Supply Project eight years after.

Wike expressed his excitement in Abuja on Monday. at the inauguration of the project by President Bola Tinubu to celebrate his second year in office.

He explained that the project was awarded in 2017 under a partnership with the African Development Initiative to take care of loop one, two, five and six.

He added that the Chinese government provided 85 per cent of the funds while the Federal Government and the FCT provided 15 per cent.

The minister added that the project was completed in just two years in office, following Tinubu’s directive to improve water supply in the city.

“Although the project was awarded since 2017, your administration has completed it and today we are inaugurating it to improve water supply in the city,” he said.

Wike recalled that the FCT Administration had in 2024 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Chinese company to provide water in FCT satellite towns.

“I want to say today, that we almost completed the procurement process to provide water to residents of Bwari, Kubwa, and Karu among other communities.

“So, Mr President, you are not only providing water to residents in the cities; you are also providing water to residents in satellite towns,” he added.

He thanked Tinubu for the support and assured the President that this project would be completed and inaugurated in 2026 to celebrate his third year in office.

He equally thanked the National Assembly for the tireless support, which he described as “very encouraging”.

Inaugurating the project, Tinubu described it as a “monumental effort” that would ensure safe, sustainable and sufficient water to homes, institutions and communities across the capital city.

According to him, water is not a luxury, but a basic for human right and a foundation for public health, urban development and economic growth.

He thanked Wike for exhibiting a very great virtue of leadership.

“This virtue is when a leader is very conscious of the needs of his people and he goes about, committed with dedication to do it.

“That’s what you have been exhibiting in FCT,” Tinubu said.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, thanked Tinubu for his steadfast commitment to the welfare of Nigerians and for making the delivery of essential services a key priority of his “Renewed Hope Agenda”.

“Your excellency, your leadership has breathed new life into long-standing projects such as this one, transforming plans on paper into realities that directly impact the lives of our citizens.

“The completion of these water supply loops clearly demonstrates your administration’s resolve to ensure that no community is left behind in our pursuit of national development,” she said.

Earlier, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said that the completed project would significantly improve access to potable water supply in the city.

Dauda said that the project involves the construction of water supply pipes in loops one, two, five and six in line with the provisions of the Abuja Master Plan.

He added that it involves laying of 425-kilometre (km) of ductile iron pipes at various diametres, comprising 256 km of main lines and 169 km of distribution lines.

“The scope of the project includes site clearance and excavation, construction of loops one and two in Phase II, III and part of Phase IV in the norther development corridor and loops five and six in Phase II and III in the southern development corridor of the city,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Halima Sheji