On Aug. 19, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, commissioned the newly rehabilitated 50 billion Naira Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant at the Lower Usuma Dam in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council.
Speaking at the event, Wike announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the start of additional water projects in satellite towns. He said the government will begin the Bwari water project on Wednesday, Aug. 20, and the Karu water supply project will be flagged off on Thursday, Aug. 21. Both projects are expected to cost not less than N90 billion.
Wike explained that the Phase 2 rehabilitation, awarded in 2022 for about N50 billion, was finished under President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which puts water as a key service. “This project will greatly increase the dam’s capacity and improve water supply for Abuja residents,” he said.
He addressed critics, saying, “Some people think we only focus on roads, but we are also working on basic things like water supply. Water is life, and this government wants all residents to enjoy this essential service.
”The minister added that Phase 1, Phase 3, and Phase 4 of the Lower Usuma Dam project have already been awarded by the Federal Executive Council to improve water distribution across the FCT. He also mentioned agreements with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) from Tinubu’s 2023 China visit, aimed at ensuring satellite towns get reliable water.
Wike highlighted progress in education, noting that many schools have been built, repaired, or are under construction across the FCT. He instructed the Secretary of Education to release a full list of these projects and organize media visits to rural schools to show the government’s efforts. “This administration is not just developing the city centre but also bringing infrastructure to satellite towns. Our aim is to make life better for everyone in the FCT,” he said.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, also spoke, praising President Tinubu for his strong support in renewing infrastructure and focusing on projects that help ordinary people. She urged residents to take good care of the water plant to ensure it benefits future generations.
