On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, commissioned the upgraded Phase II Water Treatment Plant at the Lower Usuma Dam in Bwari Area Council.
Awarded in 2022 at a cost of N50 billion and completed during President Bola Tinubu’s tenure, the project is set to enhance the supply of potable water to residents of Abuja.
Wike stated that the rehabilitation has restored the plant’s capacity to 5,000 cubic meters per hour, emphasizing the importance of water as an essential service. He noted that the Federal Executive Council has approved similar upgrades for Phases I, III, and IV, and announced that additional water projects totaling over N90 billion will soon commence in Bwari and Karu.
The Minister underscored that his administration’s priorities extend beyond road construction, highlighting ongoing school renovations and investments in satellite towns. He attributed this progress to a rise in Internally Generated Revenue, which has increased from N9 billion to N30 billion monthly.
Addressing reports of debts owed to indigenous contractors, Wike dismissed the allegations as blackmail. He maintained that many questionable contracts had been awarded by civil servants without his authorization and asserted that he would not pay for unapproved projects.
Earlier, Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as a significant milestone. The FCDA’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda noted that the plant, originally constructed in 2000, had undergone extensive repairs and system upgrades to achieve international standards.
