The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has unveiled the newly refurbished water treatment plant at the Lower Usuma Dam at Ushafa in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja.
Speaking during the inauguration on Tuesday, August 19, Wike said the project was awarded to Messrs SCC Nigeria Limited under the immediate past administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari in September 2022.
The project, he said, would boost water supply to FCT residents by increasing its capacity.
“Just like the Executive Secretary (FCDA) has said, this project, the rehabilitation of Phase 2, was awarded in 2022, to the tune of not less than N50 billion. It was awarded before the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu came on board, before we were appointed as Ministers.
“But by the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration, the directive was given that water is life, water is an essential service.
“And this Phase 2 is very important because it increases the carrying capacity, and of course, it improves water supply to the residents of Abuja,” he said.
The minister also disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the rehabilitation of Phases 1, 3 and 4 of the water treatment plants to improve water supply throughout Abuja.
He added that the President had also in September last year, signed an agreement with China Geo-Engineering Company, to provide water for the satellite towns, at the cost of N90 billion, which he said will also be inaugurated during the week in Bwari and Karu communities of the FCT.
He said: “To underscore the importance of what Mr President holds, Phase 1, Phase 3 and Phase 4 have been awarded by the Federal Executive Council, sometimes one month ago, and that of course, will improve water supply throughout Abuja. Again, this shows our unfettered support for basic infrastructure.
“So many people have accused us that we are concentrating only on roads, even though that is a critical infrastructure. But to let you know that we are also focusing on other essential things of life, last September, Mr President travelled to China, and we signed an agreement with CGC to provide water for the satellite towns.
“I want to announce here that Mr President has approved, and by tomorrow, we will start the flag off of one of the satellite water plants in Bwari, and on Thursday, we will be in Karu, for the supply of water to satellite towns, that is costing the government not less than N90 billion.
“All these are geared to make life easier for the people of the FCT. We are not concentrating on the development of the city; we are taking development to the satellite towns.”
In his project briefing, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr. Richard Dauda, said the FCT administration had embarked on the phased rehabilitation of the water treatment plants due to ageing components and the risk of collapse at the plants.
“The combined capacity of the lower Usuma Dam Treatment plants, that is the Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 is 30,000 cubic meters per hour. Phase 2 was constructed and commenced operation in the year 2000. It also has a 5,000 cubic meter capacity per hour.
“Your Excellency, due to ageing components, the plants became at risk of collapse, with possible adverse effects on the health of the residents of the city. It is in this regard that the FCT Administration embarked upon the phased rehabilitation of the treatment plants.
“The completion of this work will restore the Phase 2 water treatment plant to its full capacity of 5,000 cubic meters per hour, and for the water quality conforms to international standards for potable water supply,” he said.
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