By Joyce Babayeju
A major fallout of the just concluded summit of the Forum of China Africa Cooperarion ( FOCAC) in Beijing China is the signing of an MOU to boost rural water supply and power in the nation’s capital Abuja.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike who was part of the presidential delegation to China signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and the China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction (CGCOC) Group.
The lighting up of FCT, according to the MoU will be through solar power.
While signing the documents with the two Chinese companies in Beijing, China at the sidelines the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Wike said the selected projects would be completed across the FCT in time for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the FCT.
For seamless work, he said: “The whole area of Maitama, the whole area of Asokoro, Wuse, Central Business Area, the Airport Road, down to Bill Clinton Drive will be handled by CCECC while CGCOC would handle the districts of Mabushi, Katampe and Garki”.
Speaking further on the provision of water, the Minister said: “And then again, we have gone further, you know the Greater Abuja Water Works which is being handled by CGCOC, that has been awarded for years … has reached 75 per cent completion. We believe that by the grace of God by this December, or thereabout they would have completed it.
“The President said look, you can’t only provide for the city, you have to talk about the rural areas and so we are keeping up with this idea that there is a need to have satellite town water supply in Gwagwalada, Kwali and Kuje. We have now signed the MOU with CGC for them to carry out this assignment.”
Speaking on lighting up the city, Wike said: “One key project which is very dear to us and one of the reasons why we are here today is to light up Abuja because Abuja will be fifty years by next year so it should be a jubilee year for us. And we want Abuja to be like other cities, like what we see in Beijing, we have gone round and we have seen light everywhere and that is how we want Abuja to be.”
He also appreciated the company’s efforts in making sure the commercial operation of the Abuja Metro line became possible during the first-anniversary celebration of President Tinubu.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Press, Officer of the Minister Anthony Ogunleye, Wike said the completion of the project was a testament to the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the rail is operational due to the efforts of CCEC.
While expressing appreciation to the President for granting the FCTA approval to embark on these very important projects for the FCT, the Minister urged the CGCOC to ensure quick delivery of the project and ensure that water supply in the satellite towns becomes a reality.
In their separate responses, the President of CCECC, Mr Chen Sichang, and the Chairman of CGCOC, Mr. Lan Meizhong both expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed on them to execute the projects, while assuring the Minister of quality and timely delivery of the projects.
The signing of the MOUs is one of the fallouts of the just concluded summit on the Forum for China and Africa Cooperation held in Beijing, China.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had during the summit visited CCECC, and explored areas of cooperation with Nigeria.
On the minister’s entourage was the Permanent Secretary of the Treasury, Alhaji Adamu Wanki, Executive Director, of Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Dr. Mohammed Dan Hassan, Director of Procurement, Alhaji Musa Idris, and other senior officials of the FCTA.
