The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has kicked off a fresh round of water projects commissioning and flag-off in the FCT, signaling a renewed effort to improve water supply across Abuja and its satellite towns.
This development was revealed in a statement released on Tuesday by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.
According to the statement, Wike officially commissioned the fully rehabilitated Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant at the Lower Usuma Dam, located in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council. This marks the beginning of another series of water infrastructure projects aimed at addressing water scarcity in the FCT.
The new commissioning follows a previous 16-day period of project inaugurations in the FCT that ended on July 3. Wike’s current initiative seeks to build on that momentum.
The statement further outlined plans for the days ahead, with the Minister scheduled to flag off construction and expansion of water supply to key satellite towns starting with Bwari Township in Bwari Area Council.
“Tomorrow, we will flag off the construction and expansion of water supply to our satellite towns, starting with Bwari Township, and on Thursday, we will do the same for Karu town and its environs in Abuja Municipal Area Council,” the statement said.
Water supply has long been a major challenge for Abuja and its surrounding communities. Rapid urban growth and increasing demand have put pressure on existing infrastructure, leading to inconsistent water availability in many parts of the FCT.
To address these challenges, the FCT Administration has been prioritizing investments in water treatment and distribution projects to provide clean and reliable water to residents.
The rehabilitation of the Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant at Lower Usuma Dam is a critical step in this process. The plant serves as a key source of potable water for parts of the FCT, and its refurbishment is expected to improve water quality and supply reliability.
The renewed water projects also connect with the wider federal government’s development agenda. During the commissioning of the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project on June 16, Minister Wike disclosed that the FCT Administration had signed a new agreement to expand water supply to satellite communities like Bwari, Kubwa, and Karu.
This agreement followed President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 visit to China, where infrastructure and development partnerships were reinforced.
Wike assured that procurement for these expansions was near completion and expressed confidence that the projects would be delivered on schedule.
The focus on satellite towns such as Bwari, Karu, and Kubwa is significant, as these areas have seen rapid population growth and urbanization. Many residents in these towns have struggled with unreliable or insufficient water supply.
By expanding water infrastructure to these communities, the FCT Administration aims to bridge the gap in basic services, improve living standards, and support continued development.
Minister Wike’s active involvement in commissioning and launching these projects underscores the FCT Administration’s commitment to tackling water challenges head-on.
The recent activities demonstrate a hands-on approach by the Minister and the FCT leadership to ensure that water projects are not only planned but also implemented efficiently.
With the Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant now fully operational, residents around Lower Usuma Dam can expect more steady and clean water supply.
The upcoming flag-offs for Bwari and Karu towns mark the beginning of a broader campaign to improve water infrastructure across the FCT’s rapidly growing satellite communities.
