By Faridat Salifu
The Federal Government has launched Lot 1 of a 198-kilometre water pipeline project to deliver potable water to Bwari Area Council and other satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who flagged off the project on Wednesday, said President Bola Tinubu approved the scheme to expand access to pipe-borne water beyond the Abuja city centre.
Wike disclosed that 50 percent of the contract sum had already been released to the contractors, Messrs China Geo-engineering Construction Limited, to accelerate the project.
He said the scheme would create at least 1,600 direct jobs and reduce residents’ dependence on boreholes by linking homes directly to a central water source.
The minister explained that the project was scheduled for 18 months but urged the contractors to complete it in time for commissioning by Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
Wike added that similar projects would extend to Karu, Kuje, Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji under subsequent budgets, ensuring balanced development between the city and the area councils.
Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Richard Dauda, said the pipeline would serve Bwari township and surrounding communities including Ushafa, Jigu, Kuduru, and Kuchuku.
He said the project would improve living standards by supplying clean water to thousands of residents across the council.
