Jonathan commissions multi-billion naira Abuja water project

By Stanley Onyekwere

In furtherance to efforts toward ensuring Abuja residents enjoy portable water, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday commissioned the multi-billion-naira Phases 3 and 4 of the Abuja tater treatment plants at the Lower Usuma Dam, in Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

While unveiling the water project, the President said it marks an important milestone in the life of the present Administration in the Territory; saying that the project will help create more job opportunities.

He promised to support the FCT Administration complete the on-going trunks mains-conveyance system and storage reservoirs to the city as well as the pipeline distribution network servicing phases 2 and 3 of the city so as to fully reticulate water to the city.

He assured that the Federal Government remains committed to the provision of water supply and other public utilities to the entire country.

Earlier, in his welcome address at the occasion, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, who disclosed that Messrs Biwater Nigeria Limited executed the project contract at a revised cost of N18.09 billion, described it as historic, as it is the largest single water treatment plants in this part of the World with a total capacity to treat 20 million litres per hour.

He added that the contract was awarded in August 2005 but was stalled due to funding challenges, which was cleared under the leadership of President Jonathan, in keeping with his commitment to the principle that government business is a continuum as well as his aversion for abandonment of important projects.

According to the minister, there are existing phases 1 and 2 Water treatment plants treating 10 million litres of water per hour completed in year 1987 and 2000 respectively, making it 30 million litres per hour, thereby increasing the water treatment capacity by 200 percent, which would reduce water scarcity in the Federal Capital City and its environs.

“The FCT Administration is also making concerted efforts to commence the water distribution network to Phases 2 and 3 of the City covering such districts as Gwarinpa, Kafe, Katampe, Wuye, Jabi and Jahi,” he added.

“The realization of the project represents a major landmark in our pursuit of the Transformation Agenda of the President Jonathan’s Administration as well as our vision to build a capital city that will rank among the top 20 cities in the world,” he stressed.