Nathaniel Zaccheaus
The non payment of the 20 per cent Federal Government counterpart funding for the $470m Greater Abuja Water Project, five years after it was conceptualized, was delaying its completion.

The Federal Government had yet to release its 20 per cent counterpart fund for execution and delivery of the project as contained in the agreement.

It is being handled by China Geo – Engineering Company (CGC )

The Project Manager , Zhong Xiang, stated this while speaking to Senators and journalists at the Jahi, Abuja site on Monday.

Xiang told the lawmakers who were on oversight function to the site that the China Exim Bank had released $150m, but that the Federal Government of Nigeria had yet to release any portion of the 20 per cent counterpart fund .

He also informed the Senate Committee on the FCT about the various projects being executed across the various districts in the Federal Capital Territory.

He regretted that the Water Project, considered to be a legacy project was seriously being threatened now as far as execution and delivery are concerned.

He said, “This project is conceptualized to boost water supply across the various districts in the federal capital territory but what is delaying its full blown execution , is the failure of the federal government of Nigeria to meet her own obligation .

” As handlers of the project , we appeal to the Hon Minister and Distinguished Senators to please help in facilitating the release of the 20% counterpart funding,” he said .

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However, other districts visited by the Senate Committee , show serious project execution .

The FCT Minister, Mallam Musa Mohammad Bello, told the lawmakers that the sum of N34bn has been earmarked for the construction of roads , bridges , railway corridors within the Institutional District.

He said the District was named Institutional due to avalanche of Institutions in the area .

He listed the Institutions there to include, the National Legislative and Democratic Studies ( NILDS) , ECOWAS Parliament , ECOWAS Commission , National Judicial Institute , First Ladies Peace Mission , Baze University , Nile University , Teaching Hospital, among others.