₦airaland Forum

Wasa005:
Wike Delivers Long-Awaited Greater Abuja Water Project After Eight Years

By
Ibrahim Tukur Miyyatti


The commissioning of the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, marks one of the most significant infrastructure milestones in Nigeria's capital city in recent years. Beyond the fanfare that accompanied the event, the project represents a practical solution to a challenge that has affected residents of Abuja for decades—access to clean and reliable water supply.

At the heart of the initiative is the unveiling of a massive 198-kilometre water pipeline network designed to expand water distribution across the Federal Capital Territory. The project also includes the completion and commissioning of the ₦470 billion Greater Abuja Water Supply Project, a strategic infrastructure undertaking that had remained unfinished for nearly eight years.

For many residents of Abuja, the commissioning is more than just another government project. It is the fulfilment of a long-standing promise and a demonstration that critical infrastructure can indeed be completed when there is political will, effective leadership, and sustained commitment.
The importance of potable water to public health, economic development, and overall quality of life cannot be overstated. As Abuja continues to experience rapid population growth and urban expansion, pressure on existing water infrastructure has increased significantly. Several satellite towns and growing communities have struggled with inadequate water supply, forcing residents to rely on private boreholes, water vendors, and other costly alternatives.

The completion of the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project therefore comes as a timely intervention aimed at addressing these challenges while positioning the Federal Capital Territory for future growth.
Much of the credit for bringing the project to completion has been attributed to the leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Since assuming office, Wike has pursued an aggressive infrastructure agenda focused on completing abandoned projects, upgrading public facilities, and accelerating development across the territory.

His approach has been characterized by a strong emphasis on execution rather than mere promises. By prioritizing projects that directly impact the lives of residents, Wike has sought to redefine governance in the FCT through visible and measurable outcomes.
The water project is perhaps one of the clearest examples of this philosophy. For years, the initiative remained stalled despite its strategic importance. However, under Wike's stewardship, renewed attention, funding, and administrative support ensured that the project moved from the drawing board to reality.

Equally deserving of recognition is the Minister of State for the FCT, whose collaborative efforts have contributed to the successful implementation of the administration's developmental agenda. The partnership between the two ministers has helped drive a coordinated approach to governance and infrastructure delivery in the nation's capital.
Their collective efforts have sent a strong signal that effective teamwork within government can accelerate development and improve service delivery to citizens.

The project also serves as an important reflection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which places infrastructure development at the centre of national transformation. Across various sectors, the Tinubu administration has emphasized the need to complete critical projects capable of stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and improving the welfare of Nigerians.

The commissioning of the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project aligns perfectly with these objectives. Access to clean water is not merely a social service; it is a foundation for economic productivity, environmental sustainability, and public health. By supporting the completion of such a strategic project, the Federal Government has demonstrated its commitment to improving the living conditions of citizens while strengthening the infrastructure backbone of the nation's capital.
Beyond immediate benefits, the project is expected to have long-term implications for Abuja's development. Reliable water supply is a critical requirement for residential expansion, commercial activities, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and industrial growth. Investors often consider access to basic infrastructure when making decisions, and enhanced water availability will undoubtedly improve Abuja's attractiveness as a destination for business and investment.

Furthermore, the expansion of water infrastructure is expected to reduce dependence on groundwater sources, helping to promote environmental sustainability and better resource management.

The significance of the 198-kilometre pipeline network cannot be overlooked. By extending water distribution channels to underserved areas, the project has the potential to improve access for thousands of households and businesses across the territory. Communities that previously faced irregular supply may now look forward to more dependable access to clean water.

This development also highlights an important lesson in governance: projects should not be allowed to remain abandoned indefinitely. Delayed infrastructure projects often lead to increased costs, reduced public confidence, and lost economic opportunities. The successful completion of a project that had lingered for eight years demonstrates that determined leadership can reverse such trends and restore public faith in government initiatives.

As residents celebrate this achievement, attention will naturally shift toward ensuring the effective operation and maintenance of the infrastructure. Sustainable management will be essential to preserving the gains of the project and ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from the investment.

Nevertheless, the commissioning represents a major victory for infrastructure development in the Federal Capital Territory. It is a testament to what can be achieved when vision is matched with action and when leadership remains focused on delivering tangible results.
For President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the project stands as another example of the practical implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda. For Minister Nyesom Wike and the Minister of State for the FCT, and his deputy Dr.Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, it reinforces their growing reputation as leaders committed to completing transformative projects that directly impact citizens' lives.

Ultimately, the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project is more than pipes, pumps, and engineering structures. It is a symbol of progress, resilience, and a renewed commitment to improving the quality of life for residents of Nigeria's capital city.
This outstanding and historical project would not have been possible and successful without the zealous output of the three following people who I believe deserves commendation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Leadership That Turns Vision into Reality

The completion of the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project is another practical demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's commitment to delivering infrastructure that directly improves the lives of Nigerians. Under his Renewed Hope Agenda, governance has increasingly been defined by the completion of critical projects capable of stimulating economic growth and enhancing public welfare. By providing the political leadership and policy direction necessary for strategic investments, President Tinubu has reinforced the principle that sustainable development requires continuity, decisive action, and accountability. The delivery of this long-awaited project reflects an administration determined to transform national aspirations into measurable progress, while laying a stronger foundation for the future of the Federal Capital Territory and Nigeria as a whole.

Nyesom Wike: A Testament to Purposeful Public Leadership

The successful delivery of the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project underscores the importance of leadership that prioritises execution over rhetoric. As Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has demonstrated a governance style anchored on discipline, urgency, and measurable results. Completing a strategic project that remained unfinished for nearly eight years required not only administrative capacity but also political resolve and sustained supervision. His stewardship has reaffirmed the value of public officials who view infrastructure as an investment in human dignity and economic prosperity. By transforming a long-delayed initiative into a functioning public asset, Wike has strengthened confidence in the government's ability to deliver meaningful and lasting development.

Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure: The Strength of Collaborative Governance

Major national achievements are rarely the product of individual effort alone. They are often realised through effective teamwork, institutional coordination, and a shared commitment to public service. In this regard, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, has made a commendable contribution to the successful completion of the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project. Her supportive leadership and commitment to the administration's development agenda have complemented the broader efforts to modernise the nation's capital. Working in close partnership with Minister Nyesom Wike under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Bunkure exemplifies the quiet but indispensable role of collaborative governance in delivering projects that improve the lives of citizens and strengthen public confidence in government.

As the residents of Bwari Area Council await the commissioning of the Bwari phase of the water project, it is my belief that after eight years of waiting, Abuja's long-awaited water revolution has finally arrived.

Ibrahim Tukur Miyyatti
Founder:
Hope for the Poor Charity Organization

Miyyatti85@gmail.com
08035212288

Cyberterror:
Peter Obi the agulu fraudster is too desperate for attention to see that he is a political failure. Jumping from one party to another since 2014 with nothing to show for it

FSBoperator:
Pls, keep your foolishness to yourself.

We tried nationalization in the 70s through till the 90s and all it gave us was corruption .

And I don't care how South Africans treat criminals and drug dealers destroying their country.

I am not going to side with criminals anywhere on the planet because I am unfortunate to share a passport with them.

FSBoperator:
It is the drug cartel and their beneficiaries that are pushing this senseless attacks on SA private owned companies in a bid to get SA govt to rescinde their eviction notice.

Where on this earth can they sell drugs on the streets with such impunity and still insult the sensibilities of their hosts by calling them lazy?

FSBoperator:
I anticipated this next foolishness and I made a thread before hand which one of the obidient mods has since deleted.

Ok let's natinalize MTN


That means the entire management staff will have to be replaced with a govt appointed board of directors that will have to accommodate for Federal Character and which will surely see to creation of more directorates so that Federal character must be achieved.

Congrats! You now have an over bloated managerial board filled with political appointees that were picked not because of competency but their closeness to the corridors of power.

Next thing is that every new appointed director and the new MD of MTN will now want to get their friends , relatives employment into the new Nationalized MTN.

Don't forget that other political figures including governors, senators, etc will want to have their own people employed in the new MTN.

Congrats! You now have an overbloated work force of equally mediocre and useless employees who do next to nothing .

What this means now is that MTN Nigeria will be saddled with higher operational cost in terms of wages and emoluments.

Note also that the new board of directors will also need to look the part and so money will be set aside to procure at least 3 vehicles for each director while General managers will get at least a brand new official vehicle complete with driver and an overhead cost for fueling and maintaining the vehicle. Also remember that they will be needing accomodation to match their new status which will be paid for from MTN Nigeria's accounts.

Then there's also the need to attend useless overseas training programs and seminars for both directors and staff . MTN Nigeria will then foot the bill alongside that of the Perm Secretary , Minister of Comms and directors from the ministry who will demand they be included on the jamboree all expense paid seminar and training course.

Congrats! Overhead cost has now exploded.

Now remember we had a competency crisis already by the employment that followed nationalising MTN Nigeria ?

Well MTN Nigeria will now have to employ expats to carry out the job that the new staff can't do.

Congrats! Cost of maintainance has now spiked because those expats will be billing MTN Nigeria for both remote and on the spot jobs.

Then what is a good national public entity without contracts ?

MTN Nigeria will have to accommodate politicians by giving out contracts at 700% the cost for an item or project they probably never needed in the first place.

Congrats! MTN Nigeria is now facing serious insolvency issues due to wasteful contracts.

Next step is to approach the money markets to keep MTN floating and when they default , they go to the FG begging for bailout .

Note that there's no more tax revenue as was the case with the previous MTN .

Now govt is spending money to maintain a money pit.

Congrats! You will now be having network glitches that last days because MTN Nigeria could not pay mast owners and so they have been cut off


Then after 3ys , a govt will come and see this as stupid and will hand MTN Nigeria to the Undertakers in NDIC to liquidate MTN .

By then, not one foreign investor will be willing to buy MTN Nigeria or even partner with anyone willing to buy the scrap heap that it has become because they remember how a thriving MTN under private ownership was arbitrarily taken over due to a diplomatic issue involving the parent company's nation of origin .

So what have you achieved with this nationalization of MTN?

Well you have;

1. Succeeded in destroying one of the very few companies that paid the highest taxes to the national coffers(MTN paid over #870bn in taxes and levies in 2025).

2. You have setback Nigeria's tech and communication industry by at least 30ys.

3. You have destroyed any confidence of foreign investors in Nigeria .

Congrats!

pluto09:
https://businessday.ng/opinion/article/the-flawed-logic-behind-ftse-russells-decision-on-nigeria/

Streetinvestor2:
How is the speed going to attract friction. Does it mean that we don't have enough forex to match the exchange demands immediately. Abi the infrastructure to match the speed. I don't understand the foreign guys reservations on the new policy

bmd1010:
Plus other house n utility bills

Ifeoluwadev:
Before anybody calls me a liar or a complainer, sit down and read this first. Because I have numbers. And numbers don't lie.

In 2019, I was earning ₦150,000 per month. Junior staff. I was not rich at all. But I was comfortable. I could breathe.

Today in 2026, I earn ₦500,000 per month. On paper that is more than 3x growth. I should be living large. I should have savings. I should be talking about investments by now.

Instead I am broke before the 25th of every month.

Let me show you exactly why.


THE NAIRA ITSELF
In 2019, one dollar was roughly ₦360.
Today in 2026, one dollar is over ₦1,500.

The naira has lost about 75% of its value against the dollar in 7 years. So anything imported, whether electronics, medicine, baby products or even some food, now costs 4 times what it used to.

My ₦500k today equals roughly $333.
My ₦150k in 2019 was worth roughly $416.

Read that again.

I earn more naira but fewer dollars. In real purchasing power I have gone backwards even though my salary tripled on paper.


FOOD

In 2019, I fed myself comfortably for around ₦30,000 per month. Decent food, market twice a week, occasionally a small restaurant.

Today that same lifestyle costs me at least ₦120,000 and that is me managing carefully.

| Item | 2019 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Bag of rice (50kg) | ₦18,000 | ₦85,000+ |
| Cooking gas (12.5kg) | ₦3,500 | ₦18,000+ |
| Groundnut oil (4 litres) | ₦2,800 | ₦12,000+ |
| Tomatoes (paint bucket) | ₦800 | ₦5,000+ |
| Full chicken | ₦2,500 | ₦10,000+ |
| Big loaf of bread | ₦350 | ₦1,500+ |

My food budget went up by 400%. My salary went up by 233%. The food is winning.



RENT

In 2019, I paid ₦350,000 per year for a decent one bedroom in a Lagos suburb. That is about ₦29,000 per month if you break it down.

Today that same apartment, same area, same size, same leaking ceiling, is ₦1.2 million per year. That is ₦100,000 per month equivalent.

I now spend 20% of my gross salary on rent alone. And landlords still want one to two years upfront. So every renewal season I need to drop over ₦1 million at once like I am buying land.



ELECTRICITY AND GENERATOR
In 2019, NEPA was bad but manageable. Fuel was ₦145 per litre. My monthly gen fuel was around ₦8,000.

Today petrol is close to ₦1,500 per litre. My monthly generator fuel alone is ₦45,000. And NEPA is still giving me the same 4 hours they gave me in 2019. Nothing changed on their side except the bills went up.


TRANSPORT

Bus from my estate to office in 2019 was ₦150 each way. That is ₦300 per day, about ₦6,600 per month.

Same route today is ₦700 minimum each way. ₦1,400 per day. Nearly ₦31,000 per month.

Ride hailing? Multiply that by three. I now spend between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000 every month just moving my body from home to work and back.



SO WHERE DOES THE ₦500K GO?

| Expense | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Rent (broken down monthly) | ₦100,000 |
| Food and groceries | ₦120,000 |
| Generator fuel | ₦45,000 |
| Transport | ₦35,000 |
| NEPA bill | ₦18,000 |
| Airtime and data | ₦12,000 |
| Toiletries and misc | ₦20,000 |
| Tithe | ₦25,000 |
| **Total** | **₦375,000+** |

That leaves me ₦125,000 for savings, emergencies, hospital, clothes, sending money home, school fees if you have children, and anything unexpected.

In 2019 on ₦150,000, my total expenses were under ₦90,000 and I had ₦60,000 left. That leftover was worth $167 at the time. My ₦125,000 leftover today is worth $83.

I saved more real money when I earned less. That is not a feeling. That is arithmetic.



THE PART NOBODY TALKS ABOUT
Beyond the numbers, what has changed is how money feels.

In 2019, seeing ₦100,000 in my account felt like safety. Like I had options. Like I could breathe easy.

Today I see ₦500,000 land on payday and my first feeling is anxiety, not happiness. Because I immediately start calculating what is owed, what is running out, what will still not be enough.

That shift from feeling okay to feeling like you are always one emergency away from trouble, even as your salary grows, is what this economy has quietly done to the Nigerian middle class.

We are not imagining things. We are not lazy. We are not bad at managing money. We are just running on a treadmill that keeps speeding up.



MY QUESTION TO NAIRALANDERS:
What was your salary in 2019 and what is it today? Are you genuinely better off or are you like me, earning more and living less?

Drop your numbers in the comments. No judgement for anybody. Let us count together.

MrEar:
Even though I fully agree with piers tweet, I must say this, Piers Morgan is a slimy weasel. A green snake in green grass.

Before the war, he was pro Israel/US...a natural born Netanyahu ass licker.

After a humiliating defeat by ordinary small Iran, Piers has suddenly turned against Israel.

All of a sudden he "genuinely cares" about the people Israel is killing. Very slimy irritating individual with no moral principle or integrity.

It's people like this who sit on the fence that make the world a horrible place to live in.

yinchar:
Thats why it’s called a democratic process

What is not sane to you, it’s sane to others

You have your one vote, use it wisely based on your sanity and stop critiquing others

Easylife1234:
God please pick my call too don't allow me to just come to this world without enjoying it

naptu2:
abdulsamadrabiu_asr



https://www.instagram.com/p/DZlR4nIM-VW/

From left to right) Femi Otedola (Chairman of First Bank), Aliko Dangote (President of Dangote Group), Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki (former Senate President and governor of Kwara State), Abdulsamad Rabiu (Chairman of BUA Group) and Kashim Bukar Shettima (Chairman of Barbedos Group).