By Nehemiah Anini for The Chronicles of Construction
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) witnessed a major milestone over the weekend as the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike, commissioned the newly rehabilitated ₦50 billion Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant at the Lower Usuma Dam in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council.
Speaking during the event in Abuja, covered by The Chronicles of Construction, the minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to prioritize essential infrastructure beyond roads.
“Water is life, and this government wants all residents to enjoy this essential service,” Wike said, addressing critics who think the administration focuses solely on roads.
Key Highlights from the Commissioning
- Completion of Phase 2 Rehabilitation:
Awarded in 2022 at a cost of about ₦50 billion, the project was completed under the Tinubu administration. It significantly boosts the dam’s capacity to improve water supply to Abuja residents. - New Projects Flagged Off:
Wike announced the take-off of the Bwari Water Project and the Karu Water Supply Project, both estimated to cost no less than ₦90 billion. - Multi-Phase Water Expansion:
Phases 1, 3, and 4 of the Lower Usuma Dam project have also been awarded by the Federal Executive Council, aimed at strengthening water distribution across the FCT. - International Partnerships:
Agreements with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) — initiated during President Tinubu’s 2023 visit to China — will further ensure reliable water access in satellite towns.
Minister Wike stressed that the FCT Administration is also investing heavily in education infrastructure. Schools across the capital are being built, repaired, or undergoing construction.
He directed the Secretary of Education to compile and release a full list of these projects and to organize media tours to rural schools so Nigerians can see the government’s efforts firsthand.
“This administration is not just developing the city centre but also bringing infrastructure to satellite towns. Our aim is to make life better for everyone in the FCT,” Wike emphasized.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, also praised President Tinubu’s strong support for infrastructure renewal, particularly projects with direct benefits for ordinary citizens. She urged residents to take proper care of the rehabilitated water plant so it serves generations to come.
The commissioning of the ₦50bn water plant and the flag-off of additional ₦90bn water projects marks a major stride in urban and rural infrastructure balance. By extending water access and improving education facilities in satellite towns, the FCT Administration is aligning national development with everyday needs.
For professionals, students, and stakeholders in the built environment, these developments reaffirm how construction, infrastructure, and governance intersect to shape better living standards.
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