Wike signs agreement with Chinese firms to boost power, water supply in Abuja

The federal government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two Chinese corporations to improve electricity and water supply in Abuja.

Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister, announced the deal in a statement on Sunday.

Wike said the MoU was signed in Beijing on Saturday with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and the China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction (CGCOC) Group.

He said the signing ceremony occurred during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to China, where he attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing.

The minister said Tinubu advocated for the projects as part of his agenda to renew the hope of Abuja residents in the government through the execution of people-oriented projects.

Wike assured that the projects would be completed in 2025 and inaugurated as part of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the FCT.

“One key project which is very dear to us and one of the reasons why we are here today is to light up Abuja,” he said.

“We want Abuja to be like other cities, like what we see in Beijing. We have gone round, and we have seen light everywhere; that is how we want Abuja to be.

“Therefore, the whole area of Maitama; the whole area of Asokoro, Wuse, Central Business District, and Airport Road, down to Bill Clinton Drive will be handled by CCECC, while CGCOC Group would handle the districts of Mabushi, Katampe and Garki.

“On the need to equally ensure water supply in the satellite areas of the FCT, we are keeping up with the idea that there is a need to have satellite town water supply in Gwagwalada, Kwali and Kuje as directed by Tinubu.

“We have now signed the MoU with CGCOC Group for them to carry out this assignment.”

Wike said the greater Abuja water works project, handled by CGCOC Group, has reached 75 percent completion, expressing confidence that it would be completed by December this year.

Thanking Tinubu for granting the FCT administration approval for the projects, the minister urged the CGCOC Group to ensure quick delivery of the project.

This, he said, would ensure that water supply in satellite towns becomes a reality.

In their remarks, Chen Sichang, president of CCECC, and Lan Meizhong, chairman of CGCOC Group, thanked Wike for his confidence in their companies and promised to deliver the projects on schedule and with high quality.

Other government who witnessed the signing were Adamu Wanki, the permanent secretary of treasury; Mohammed Dan Hassan, executive director of rural water and sanitation agency; Musa Idris, director of procurement; and other senior officials.