President Goodluck Jonathan has commissioned the Multi-Billion-Naira Phases 3 and 4 of the Abuja Water Treatment Plants with a pledge to complete all projects initiated before his Administration.
Jonathan who commissioned the water project Thursday at the Lower Usuma Dam, Abuja commended the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed and the FCT Administration for their resilience and commitment to the Transformation Agenda of his Administration.
The President remarked that the commissioning of this Multi-Billion-Naira water project marks an important milestone in the life of the present Administration in the Territory; observing that the project will help create more job opportunities.
He assured that the Federal Government would remain committed to the provision of water supply and other public utilities to the entire country.
The President specifically 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.
Welcoming the President to the occasion, the FCT Minister, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed CON, described the commissioning 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 litters per hour.
Mohammed reiterated that the realization of this project represents a major landmark in our pursuit of the Transformation Agenda of the Jonathan Administration as well as our vision to build a capital city that will rank among the top 20 cities in the world.
The Minister revealed that there is an existing Phases 1 and 2 Water treatment Plants treating 10 million litters of water per hour completed in year 1987 and 2000 respectively.
According to him, the new ones commissioned today will treat additional 20 million litters per hour, thereby making it 30 million litters per hour, thereby increasing the water treatment capacity by 200 percent.
Mohammed disclosed that Messrs. Biwater Nigeria Limited executed the contract at a revised cost of N18.09 Billion.
He said that the contract was awarded in August 2005 but was stalled due to funding challenges, which was cleared under the leadership of President Goodluck 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.
Mohammed paid tribute to President Jonathan; stressing that the FCT Administration was propelled by his passion to ensure adequate water supply in the FCT especially his gracious approval for necessary funding for the project.
The Minister remarked that these treatment plants have been completed in line with the vision of the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government.
According to him, these plants would greatly 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.
