The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support in revitalising critical infrastructure in the capital, including the newly completed Greater Abuja Water Supply Network.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Monday, June 16, 2025, Wike recalled President Tinubu’s early intervention and firm queries regarding dormant infrastructure projects upon assuming office.
“We thank you so much, Mr. President, for the support and encouragement you have given to us who are representing you in the FCT,” Wike stated. “I recognize that when you came on board, you invited me and asked me one or two questions. One is, why is it that the mass transit train is not working? … Secondly, you said, what is happening to the water supply?”
Wike noted that the Greater Abuja Water project had stalled since it was first awarded in 2017 at a cost of $417 million under the Partnership of African Development Initiative. According to him, China provided 85% of the funding, with the remaining 15% split between the foreign government and the FCT.
“This contract was awarded in 2017… Since 2017, under the Partnership of African Development Initiative, the Chinese government provided 85%, while the foreign government and FCT provided 15%,” he said.
The project was designed to service Groups 1, 2, 5, and 6 within the capital. Wike confirmed that the job has now been completed under the Tinubu administration.
“I want to say thank you that under this administration, the job has been completed, and today you are commissioning the water,” he said.
He also revealed that during President Tinubu’s visit to China last year, a new agreement was signed between the FCT and the China Development Corporation (CDC) to extend water access to rural areas.
“Luckily for us, I was part of the delegation that went to Uju. There, FCT also signed an agreement with CDC to provide water to rural areas.”
According to Wike, procurement processes are nearly complete for projects in Bwari, Kubwa, Karu, and other satellite towns, emphasising the government’s commitment to equitable development.
“You are not only providing water to the city, you are also providing water to the satellite town.”
Wike pledged that subsequent water projects would not experience the delays seen with the current project.
“We sincerely thank you and assure you that this project will be completed on time. It will not take like this one that took 8 years.”
In conclusion, the FCT Minister lauded the National Assembly for its legislative support and restated his team’s resolve to showcase the administration’s achievements daily:
“We’ll do everything we can to make sure that every day, people will be seeing what you are doing in the FCT… Those who want to see, those who don’t want to see, it’s not your fault—they decided not to see.”
