Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese companies regarding solar lights and water supply.
The Minister attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement by Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press, Office of the FCT Minister, MoUs were signed on Saturday with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, and the China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction (CGCOC) Group for lighting up the FCT, using solar power, and ensuring rural water supply.
While signing the documents during the FOCAC Summit, Wike said the selected projects would be completed across the FCT in time to celebrate its 50th anniversary of creation.
To explain the project, Wike also assured that “CCECC will handle the whole area of Maitama, the whole area of Asokoro, Wuse, Central Business Area, the Airport Road, down to Bill Clinton Drive, while CGCOC will handle the districts of Mabushi, Katampe, and Garki.”
On the provision of water, Wike said, “And then again, we have gone further. You know the Greater Abuja Water Works, which is being handled by CGCOC and has been awarded for years … has reached 75 percent completion. We believe that by the grace of God, by this December, or thereabouts, they would have completed it.”
Regarding the need to ensure equal water supply in the satellite areas of the FCT, the Minister said, “The President said, look, you can’t only provide for the city; you have to talk about the rural areas. So, we are keeping up with the idea that there is a need for a satellite town water supply in Gwagwalada, Kwali, and Kuje. We have signed the MOU with CGCOC so they can complete this assignment.”
The Minister stressed that the projects, which would further ensure the FCT’s development, were pushed by Mr. President at the FOCAC summit as part of his agenda to bring hope back to FCT residents.
Speaking on lighting up the city, he said, “One key project that is very dear to us and one of the reasons why we are here today is to light up Abuja because Abuja will be fifty years old by next year, so it should be a jubilee year for us. And we want Abuja to be like other cities, like what we see in Beijing. We have gone round and we have seen light everywhere, and that is how we want Abuja to be.”
He also appreciated CGCOC’s efforts to ensure the commercial operation of the Abuja Metro line became possible during President Tinubu’s first-anniversary celebration.
The Minister said the completion of the project was a testament to the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the rail is operational due to the efforts of CCECC
While expressing appreciation to the President for granting the FCTA approval to embark on these significant projects for the FCT, the Minister urged the CGCOC to ensure quick delivery of the project and ensure that water supply in the satellite towns becomes a reality.
In their separate responses, the President of CCECC, Mr. Chen Sichang, and the Chairman of CGCOC, Mr. Lan Meizhong, both expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in them to execute the projects while assuring the Minister of quality and timely delivery of the projects.
The signing of the MOUs is one of the fallouts of the just concluded summit on the Forum for China and Africa Cooperation held in Beijing, China.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited CCECC during the summit and explored areas of cooperation with Nigeria.
The Minister’s entourage included the Permanent Secretary of Treasury, Alhaji Adamu Wanki, the Executive Director of Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, RUWASA, Dr. Mohammed Dan Hassan, the Director of Procurement, Alhaji Musa Idris, and other senior officials of the FCTA.
