The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated Lot 1 of the Bwari Township Water Supply Project as part of efforts to expand access to clean and safe drinking water in Abuja’s satellite communities.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Abuja, Wike reiterated the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to providing clean water for all FCT residents.
He announced that President Tinubu had approved the immediate release of 50% of the contract sum for both the Bwari and the upcoming Karu water projects to ensure their timely completion, assuring that both projects were scheduled for completion and inauguration during President Tinubu’s third anniversary celebration in May 2026.
Wike also unveiled a strategic timeline for future projects, revealing that water projects for the Kuje, Kwali, and Gwagwalada Area Councils would be included in the FCT’s 2026 statutory budget.
He confidently stated that all six Area Councils in the FCT would have access to clean, potable water by the time President Tinubu’s first term concludes in 2027.
According to him, “Today, we are in Bwari. Tomorrow, we will be in Karu, in essence, taking two Area Councils together. By the time we finish with Bwari and Karu, in next year’s budget, by the grace of God, we will go to Kuje and Kwali. By 2027, by the grace of God, we will be talking about Gwagwalada and Abaji.
“By the time Mr. President’s four-year tenure expires, we would have touched all the satellite towns by providing them with clean, potable water.
“Of course, this will save you the cost of digging your borehole, providing pipes, and the rest. All you would need to do is just link up to the various pipe networks, and then the water will flow, clean and treated water. Unlike the one from your borehole, this is fully treated water.”
Wike, while noting that the execution phase of the water projects would provide direct and indirect employment for the teeming youths of the FCT, appealed to the relevant stakeholders, including traditional rulers and other community members, to take ownership of the projects and give the needed support to the contractors, emphasising that water is a fundamental human need.
He said, “I appeal to the traditional rulers; I appeal to our youth; I appeal to our women; I appeal to all our community members to take this project as your own project.
“This is the first time a government has said that you too deserve to have clean potable water because water is life, not just saying it but implementing it.
“I think this is even more important than the road projects you have protected when the contractors are on site.
“If you can protect contractors when they are constructing roads, you can imagine what you will do as regards the supply of water, which is one of the basic needs in life. So, I urge you to collaborate and support the company so that we can achieve this in record time.”
The minister assured them that the project would be pursued to its conclusion without being abandoned, in fulfilment of the promises made by the president to the people of the FCT, and urged the residents to continue supporting the president.
“We have agreed that we are going to bring water, and we are bringing water. When I come back to say we have performed, you too, you will perform. So, when the President has done for you, when it is your turn too, do for the President,” he added.
Earlier, the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the Bwari township water project as history in the making, emphasising that the project was more than just laying pipes but about improving the quality of life of families, ensuring children grow up healthier, and providing clean, safe water for mothers.
Dr. Mahmoud expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his consistent support of the FCT Administration and to the FCT Minister for his visionary leadership and dedication to the development of the FCT, while also thanking the Area Council Chairmen and other stakeholders for their continued support.