The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, officially flagged off the Supply of Water to Satellite Towns Project in Karu, declaring that the area has grown beyond a satellite town into part of Abuja city.
The event, held at the Karu site, was part of the FCT Administration’s drive to provide potable water to the outskirts of the nation’s capital city, fulfilling a promise made by President Bola Tinubu two months ago.
Wike took a swipe at previous administrations for neglecting the area while detailing the project’s execution timeline and appealing for community support.
“Yesterday, we were in Bwari to flag off the Lot 1 of the provision of water supply in satellite towns. I do not know why they still refer to Karu as a satellite town. I think that this is virtually a city now
“By the grace of God, next year, we would go to Kuje and Gwagwalada and then before Mr. President completes his tenure, we would have gone to Kwali and Abaji,” Wike said.
The minister reminded the jubilant crowd of the recent infrastructural developments brought by the current government, specifically the 17-kilometer road from Karu to Karshi, which was previously impassable.
“Water is key. Water is life. Water is even more important than road. Because we cannot do without water,” he said.
To ensure timely completion, Wike revealed that the project timeline has been compressed from 18 months by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) with the President’s approval, and agreed to pay 60 per cent of the contract sum upfront.
“With our plea to them and with the approval of Mr. President, the contractors have promised, by the special grace of God, by June next year, we will come back here and thank God and you will all get water. So you no longer depend on digging your own borehole.
“Is it the first time that you have seen a government in place in this city? We have had a government who has stayed here for 8 years. Has any government come to Karu to say, ‘look, we provide you water? Have you had water before?’,” he asked.
He described the provision of water as a covenant between the people and a government that remember them.
“So the people of Karu, you will never forget the government that remembers you. Will you remember those who had an opportunity and they refused to do anything for you?” he said.
The minister also used the occasion to endorse the chairman of AMAC, Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, praising his humility and effectiveness in attracting projects to the council.
“The chairman of AMAC, who is very good and very humble and very working with us since he became the chairman, he has got government to do Saburi Road. He has got government to do Ketie Road. What again do you want from such a person?
“Don’t support people who go on television, talk, talk, talk, talk. This is not the time to cry. This is the time to bring something to the people,” he said.
The minister further promised to approve the construction of a 2km internal road in Karu site, declaring, “Consider it done.”
Earlier, the FCT minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described water as one of the most essential resources for life and development.
According to her, “it sustains human health, supports agriculture, drives industry, and maintains ecosystems.”
Mahmoud, therefore, extended the administration’s profound appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, for his Renewed Hope Agenda which continues to translate into tangible projects that directly impact the lives of rural communities.
The project, when completed, is expected to provide treated water to residents of Karu, Orozo, Kurudu, and other neighbouring communities, ending their reliance on untreated water from boreholes and wells.
