President Tinubu Commissions Greater Abuja Water Supply Network, Boosting Access To Clean Water.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today inaugurated the Greater Abuja Water Supply Network, a landmark infrastructure project set to transform access to potable water across Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The commissioning, which took place in Abuja, marks a significant milestone in the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Nigerians through sustainable development.
The Greater Abuja Water Supply Project, encompassing Loops 1, 2, 5, and 6, is designed to deliver clean and reliable water to approximately 2.5 million residents across 50 districts, including underserved communities and 50 estates in phases III and IV of the capital city. The initiative, a collaboration between the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Chinese partners, notably the China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction Group (CGCOC), increases Abuja’s water supply capacity by 480,000 cubic metres per day, raising the total capacity from 240,000 to 720,000 cubic metres daily. This expansion ensures existing water treatment plants operate at maximum efficiency, reducing waste and fostering sustainable resource use.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Tinubu hailed the project as both a technical and moral triumph, emphasising its role in promoting equity and inclusive development. “This water infrastructure is not only a technical milestone but a moral one because it is about ensuring that no part of Abuja is left behind in our national development agenda,” he said. The President underscored the importance of water as a basic human right and praised the FCTA for delivering a project that aligns with his administration’s commitment to improving essential services such as water, electricity, and road networks.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has spearheaded the project’s completion, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering support. Wike noted that the contract, originally awarded in 2017 at a cost of $420 million under the Partnership of African Development Initiative with China, had stalled until the Tinubu administration revitalised it. “When you came on board, you asked why the water supply was not working. Today, under your administration, this job has been completed, and you are commissioning it,” Wike remarked, highlighting the President’s decisive intervention.
The Minister also revealed that during President Tinubu’s visit to China in 2024, a new agreement was signed with the China Development Corporation to extend water access to rural areas and satellite towns such as Bwari, Kubwa, and Karu. This follows the allocation of N50 billion in the 2025 national budget for water projects in these areas, reflecting the government’s commitment to equitable development across the FCT. Wike confirmed that procurement processes for these initiatives are nearing completion, ensuring swift implementation.
The commissioning is part of a series of infrastructure projects launched by the FCTA to mark President Tinubu’s second year in office. The Greater Abuja Water Supply Network not only addresses long-standing water scarcity issues but also creates local employment opportunities and supports skill development, contributing to economic growth. Residents of Abuja have expressed jubilation, with many noting that the project changes the narrative of unreliable water access in the capital.
President Tinubu also took the opportunity to address broader national concerns, announcing a visit to Benue State on Wednesday, 18 June, to commiserate with communities affected by recent violence. He urged Nigerians to embrace peace and unity, describing the country as “one single, huge family living in the same house, staying in different rooms.” The President’s call for harmony was coupled with a moment of silence for victims of the Benue crisis during the ceremony.
The Greater Abuja Water Supply Network stands as a testament to the Tinubu administration’s focus on completing dormant infrastructure projects and delivering tangible benefits to Nigerians. As the FCT continues to transform under Minister Wike’s leadership, residents can look forward to improved living conditions and a capital city that rivals global standards.
