Residents of Abuja may soon breathe easier in the search for safe water as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday inaugurated the rehabilitated Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant at the Lower Usuma Dam in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council.
The project, first awarded in September 2022 under the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari and executed by Messrs SCC Nigeria Limited, has now been completed and is expected to significantly boost water supply in the nation’s capital.
“Water is life, and as an essential service, it must be given priority,” Wike said during the commissioning ceremony. “This project, worth not less than ₦50 billion, increases the carrying capacity of the plant and improves water supply to residents of Abuja.”
The minister disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the rehabilitation of Phases 1, 3, and 4 of the treatment plants.
Once completed, they will collectively enhance water availability throughout the FCT.
Wike also revealed that last year President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed an agreement with China Geo-Engineering Company (CGC) for a separate ₦90 billion initiative to supply water to satellite towns. The rollout, he said, will begin this week with projects in Bwari and Karu.
“Many have accused us of focusing only on roads,” the minister noted. “But as you can see, we are also prioritizing water and other basic needs of life. Development is not just for the city center; it must also reach the satellite towns.”
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Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, explained that the phased rehabilitation became necessary due to ageing components and looming risks of system collapse.
The Lower Usuma Dam Water Treatment Plants — covering four phases — have a combined capacity of 30,000 cubic meters per hour. Phase 2 alone, constructed in 2000, has a capacity of 5,000 cubic meters per hour.
“Restoring this facility ensures safe, reliable water that meets international standards,” Dauda said. “It also protects public health by preventing disruptions that could affect millions of residents.”
With the current commissioning and the upcoming projects in satellite communities, the FCT administration hopes to cement water access as part of its broader infrastructure drive.
For residents of Abuja, the latest move signals not just improved city amenities, but also renewed government attention to everyday essentials.