Tinubu rolls out massive Abuja Water Project, vows peace in Benue

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Bola Tinubu on Monday inaugurated the Greater Abuja Water Supply Network-Loops 1, 2, 5, and 6, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure that directly enhances the daily lives of Nigerians.

At the commissioning ceremony held along Airport Road in Abuja, the President led a solemn moment of silence in honour of victims of recent attacks in Benue State.

He extended heartfelt condolences to the families and communities affected, calling on the people of Benue to unite in peace.

“I have spoken with the governor. Benue is part of our national family, and as a people sharing the same home, we must live in harmony. Accept our condolences and do your utmost to maintain peace,” Tinubu said.

He announced his intention to visit Benue on Wednesday to personally sympathise with the victims and reassure them of federal support.

Speaking on the water infrastructure, Tinubu described the project as a major step in delivering essential services and closing equity gaps in urban development.

“Water is not a luxury—it is life itself,” he declared. “It’s a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of health, economic growth, and national progress.”

He praised the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, and commended the dedication of stakeholders and international partners, particularly the Chinese Government and CGC Nigeria Limited, who were instrumental in delivering the $470 million project.

“This project is about more than pipes and tanks, it’s about equity,” the President said, adding that “It ensures that no part of Abuja is excluded from our national development goals. Our Renewed Hope Agenda is not rhetoric; it is action—real projects, for real people.”

Calling for a collective sense of responsibility, Tinubu urged residents to safeguard the infrastructure and use water resources responsibly.

“We are not just laying pipes, we’re building healthier families, stronger communities, and a more productive city.”

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, in his remarks, thanked the President for his continued support and hands-on leadership in transforming Abuja. He noted that the President had previously raised concerns about the state of basic infrastructure, including the halted mass transit rail system and inadequate water supply, upon assuming office.

“Your questions were clear: Why isn’t the train working? What is wrong with the water system? You insisted that these systems must be revived. That insistence brought us here today,” Wike said.

He recalled that the project, first awarded in 2017 under a tripartite funding model, 85 percent from the Chinese Government and 15 percent shared between the Federal Government and the FCTA, had stalled but was revived under Tinubu’s administration.

Wike also highlighted a recent agreement signed in China to extend water supply to underserved satellite towns, including Bwari, Kuje, and Karu, adding that procurement is nearly complete and execution is expected within a year.

“By your third anniversary, Mr. President, we are confident we’ll be commissioning water projects in these satellite communities,” he assured.

The acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, provided a technical overview of the project. He explained that the newly commissioned loops will serve 50 districts across Phases 2, 3, and 4 of Abuja, improving water distribution across both northern and southern corridors.

According to Dauda, the network involves laying 425 kilometres of ductile iron pipes in varying sizes, along with 1,670 fittings like valves and air release systems.

The infrastructure, once fully operational, will significantly improve residents’ access to clean, potable water.