The Federal Government has approved the sum of 145 billion naira for the execution of three contracts in the pursuit of greater Abuja water supply.
Minister of FCT, Mohammad Bello, who briefed State House correspondents after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting, said the execution of the contracts would make potable water available for the greater part of the city.
“During Council meeting, we discussed three very important memoranda from FCT.
The first one is the approval of the contract for the construction of greater Abuja water supply project at the total cost of 470 million USD.
“This is a very important project for the residents of city because it aims to provide potable water to the greater part of the city and it intends to leverage on the facility that we have in the city. That is lower Osuma Dam as well as the Water treatment plant for the city which is reputed to be one of the largest on the African continent,” he said.
He added that water supply to the city based on the master plan has not been able to extend to other phases of the city and the intention of this project which is being funded by the China-EXIM Bank is to provide water to what is called loops 1, 2, 5 and 6.
The minister said the overall master plan for the city has 10 loops with loops 3 and 4 already providing water to Garki, Maitama, Asokoro and Central Business Districts.
“With these new additional 4 loops, water is going to be extended to other very critical districts of the city and some of them are under loop 1: Mumkoro axis, Gwarimpa 1, 8, 2, Mbora, Karimo, Dape, Kafe and Wumba. These as you know as areas of the city that have expanded tremendously over the last few years,” he assured.
He told journalists that Loop 2 will provide water to Katampe, Mabushi, Utako, Wuye, Dakibiun Jabi, Kado and Jahi Districts while loop Number 5 will provide water to Durumi, Duste, Gadua, Luboyi and Kaura.
“Of the four loops under this particular contract, loop number 6 will provide water to Galadimawa, Dapuya, Lokogoma, Wumba, Saraji, Kabusa, Okanje, Pyakasa,” he added.
The second contract worth N186 million was for the supply of 1000 tons of alum to serve the FCT water board to enable it provide potable water to the residents of the city.
The third contract has to do with Wupa Water Treatment Plant which is an extension of contract to a period of 24 months.
This contract includes its maintenance, training and retraining and additional training of competent staff, Bello said.
“These three memos are very significant for us as residents of the FCT and we assure that their conclusion and operations will add to the value of life and health of our citizens,” he added.
