•  says FCT raising IGR from N9bn to N30bn monthly under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday commissioned the N50 billion second phase of the Lower Usman Dam Water Supply Project in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council, and announced the flag-off of fresh water schemes worth N90 billion for rural communities and satellite towns.

Wike explained that the rehabilitation of the dam, awarded in 2022 before President Bola Tinubu assumed office, was completed in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises essential infrastructure.

“Water is life. This project increases the carrying capacity of the dam and improves supply to residents of Abuja. To underscore Mr. President’s commitment, phases one, three and four of this project were also awarded by the Federal Executive Council barely a month ago,” he said.

The minister disclosed that following agreements signed during Tinubu’s visit to China last year, new water supply projects would begin this week, starting with Bwari on Wednesday and Karu on Thursday, at a combined cost of N90 billion.

Wike added that the FCT Administration was diversifying its investments beyond road construction, citing schools, rural infrastructure and other basic services. He directed the Education Secretariat to publish details of completed and ongoing school projects across the territory.

Responding to allegations of unpaid contracts, Wike dismissed claims that he had awarded projects without funding, insisting that most liabilities were incurred by civil servants and past administrations.

“I will never be intimidated. If anyone claims I awarded a contract, let them produce the documents. Many of the so-called contracts were awarded by civil servants without ministerial approval. It cannot be business as usual,” he said.

The minister noted that fiscal discipline had strengthened the FCT’s finances, raising its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N9 billion to over N30 billion monthly within one year.

Reiterating that his administration, alongside the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, would focus on legacy projects, Wike said he would remain undistracted by “blackmail and criticisms.”