By Abbas Nazil
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Tinubu administration to extend access to potable water to satellite towns surrounding Abuja.
This assurance was given during the commissioning of completed sections of the Greater Abuja Water Project, where Wike highlighted the strides already made and future plans to deliver clean water beyond the city centre.
Wike noted that the initiative is a direct result of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategic efforts to enhance infrastructure and public welfare.
He recalled a landmark agreement signed during President Tinubu’s official visit to China in 2024, which saw the FCT Administration partner with China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC) to expand water supply infrastructure into underserved rural and suburban areas.
This agreement signaled a significant policy shift toward inclusive development, aiming to bridge the long-standing water access gap between central Abuja and its surrounding communities.
According to the minister, procurement processes for the rural water projects have reached advanced stages.
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He said the groundwork is being laid for implementation in critical satellite towns such as Bwari, Kubwa, Karu, and others where residents have historically suffered from inadequate access to safe drinking water.
The move represents a major step in fulfilling President Tinubu’s pledge to ensure equitable infrastructure delivery across all parts of the FCT.
Wike emphasized that while the recently completed Greater Abuja Water Project had taken over eight years to complete under previous administrations, the rural extension would follow a faster and more efficient timeline.
He projected that the new water projects in satellite towns would be commissioned before the end of President Tinubu’s third year in office, demonstrating the administration’s resolve to implement lasting and timely solutions to basic utility deficits.
The minister praised the Tinubu administration’s leadership and strategic vision, describing the rural water supply drive as a bold testament to the president’s commitment to holistic national development.
He stated that the FCT Administration would ensure diligent oversight of the implementation process to guarantee that the projects are not only delivered on time but also meet international standards of quality and sustainability.
Wike’s announcement has sparked optimism among residents of the FCT’s outlying communities, many of whom have long contended with unreliable water sources, particularly during dry seasons.
By expanding the reach of essential infrastructure, the FCT water initiative is poised to improve public health, reduce economic burdens associated with water scarcity, and promote overall social well-being.
As the Tinubu administration moves forward with its Renewed Hope Agenda, the success of such initiatives is expected to serve as a model for replicating rural-urban integration policies across other Nigerian states.
