In the last three decades , since the movement of the federal capital territory FCT to Abuja , the network of water supply to the nation’s city has not improved, particularly in the area of expansion beyond the city centre to the area councils.
In the same vein , the carrying capacity of the nation’s city in the area of consumption of water on a daily basis has expanded beyond the initial configuration , hence creating rooms for epileptic water reticulation and in some instances water scarcity in the FCT and spread to area councils.
The negative development cannot stand the taste of time, and envisaging this , the Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike took a proactive action to resolving the perennial water shortages both at the nation’s city and most critically at the six area councils of Gwagwalada , Kwali, Kuje, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari and Abaji with over bloated population and expansion beyond the headquarters of the councils.
With the initial design in the last three decades after the movement of FCT to Abuja , to provide water to the nation’s city and area councils, it became imperative to redesign the supply and provision of water schemes in Abuja and councils , so as to nip in the bud , scarcity of water and provision of portable water supply, both in the nation’s city and the six area councils.
With proactive plans to invest 50 Billion to the expansion of six area councils water scheme by FCT and Federal Government, no doubt the perennial water shortages and scarcity in the FCT and area councils will be brought to a halt .
Provision of quality and portable water supply will enhance quality health services through the provision adequate water to councils, and will curb water borne diseases along with many other attendant situations.
It is on record that over the decades , the existing water scheme put in place during the movement and inception of the FCT was no longer sustaining the residents of the FCT and area councils, with influx of people, rural urban migration and creation of so many areas and locations, that had expanded the scope of social services in the FCT.
The timely expansion of the water scheme for area councils to be executed by a Chinese company, no doubt will resolve the unabated water scarcity, consumption of streams and adulterated water, particularly boreholes and other alternative water schemes , that is capable of creating health challenges.
The federal government in conjunction with the FCT administration quantum investment of initial 50 Billion will not only discourage the indiscriminate sinking of boreholes for domestic consumption, but will adhere strictly the health implications of such development.
Having concluded arrangements with the Chinese water Engineers during the visit to China, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has set the ball rolling into seeking a permanent solutions to unabated water scarcity in the nation’s city and area councils of FCT.
As part of the Minister’s engagement in China, he further stated …
“The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, will any moment from now arrive in China, ahead of series of official engagements, aimed at ensuring provision of water for Satellite Towns in the FCT.”
“The Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said in a statement on Thursday night, that the FCT Minister is presently in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, enroute China.”
“While in China, he will meet with officials of the China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction (CGCOC) Group.”
“It should be recalled that when President Bola Tinubu visited China last year September, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and CGCOC Group to improve electricity and water supply in the FCT.”
“President Tinubu advocated for the projects as part of his agenda to renew the hope of FCT residents in the government through the execution of people-oriented projects like provision of water.”
“In line with this, the President approved ₦50 billion for the provision of potable water in FCT satellite towns.”
“Therefore, in keeping up with the President’s directive that there must be water supply in satellite towns in Gwagwalada, Kwali and Kuje Area Councils, the Minister has embarked on the trip to China for a crucial meeting with the CGCOC Group.”
With the concluded arrangements, no doubt the six area councils will have a sigh of relief with adequate water supply that will improve social services to communities and council headquarters.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
