FCT Minister Nyesom Wike inaugurates ₦50bn rehabilitated Lower Usuma Dam water plant in Abuja, promises expanded water supply to satellite towns
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has officially commissioned the rehabilitated Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant at the Lower Usuma Dam in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council of Abuja.
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The project, which cost over ₦50 billion, was awarded in September 2022 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to Messrs SCC Nigeria Limited.
Its completion is expected to significantly improve water supply to residents of the FCT.
“This project was awarded before the current administration, but under the Renewed Hope Agenda, water was prioritized because water is life,” Wike said during the inauguration on Tuesday.
Wike disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has also approved the rehabilitation of Phases 1, 3, and 4 of the Lower Usuma water treatment plants.
“This shows our unfettered support for basic infrastructure,” he said, adding that the efforts go beyond road construction and now target other critical life services, including safe drinking water.
In addition to the urban upgrades, Wike revealed that the Tinubu administration has signed a ₦90 billion agreement with China Geo-Engineering Company (CGC) to provide water to satellite towns, including Bwari and Karu.
“Mr. President has approved it, and by tomorrow we will flag off water projects in Bwari, and on Thursday in Karu,” the minister said.
Speaking on the technical importance of the project, Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, explained that the rehabilitation became necessary due to aging components and the risk of operational failure.
“The total combined capacity of Phases 1 to 4 is 30,000 cubic meters per hour.
Phase 2, which we’ve just completed, contributes 5,000 cubic meters per hour, and now meets international potable water standards,” he said.
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Dauda added that continued neglect would have had adverse public health impacts, making the phased rehabilitation essential.
