President Tinubu Commissions Karu Water Supply Network, Declares “Era of Neglect” for FCT Satellite Towns Over

By Toffa Momoh | Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday officially commissioned a massive water supply network that will deliver treated, potable water directly to homes in Karu, Orozo, Jikwoyi, Kurudu, and other satellite communities in the Federal Capital Territory.

The President was represented at the commissioning ceremony in Kurudu, along the Karu-Karshi road, by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“Era of neglect is over”
Describing access to clean water as a fundamental human right, President Tinubu said Karu and its neighboring communities had been denied this basic service for decades despite their rapid population growth.

“Today, we declare that the era of neglect of our satellite towns is officially over,” he stated.

The President linked the project to his Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said is designed to move governance “out of city center boardrooms and into the daily realities of ordinary citizens in rural areas.” He recalled directing the FCT Minister one year ago during the launch of the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project that utility expansion must go beyond elite districts.

“I said the metropolitan loops must not end in the elite districts. They must expand into our satellite towns where the heartbeat of Abuja’s working-class population truly resides. Today, we are here not just to cut a ribbon, but to breathe life into a fundamental human right that has eluded this bustling community for far too long,” Tinubu said.

He commended FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike for the project’s speed, noting it was completed ahead of schedule due to the removal of bureaucratic funding delays. He also urged residents to protect the infrastructure by reporting illegal connections and vandalism.

Project scope and delivery
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike said the Memorandum of Understanding for the project was signed with CGC Nigeria Limited during President Tinubu’s state visit to Beijing. With prompt budgetary releases from the President, the network was completed in under 12 months.

According to FCDA Executive Secretary Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, the project built a secondary trunk pipeline fed by the existing Karu Reservoir Tank and extended to Kurudu, Jikwoyi, and Orozo. The scope included 190 kilometers of high-density polyethylene, HDPE, pipelines ranging from 63mm local distribution lines to 630mm main transmission lines. The system is fitted with air-release, washout, and gate valves to regulate flow and prevent damage.

CGC Nigeria Limited Deputy Managing Director, Lv Haiming, said the project reflects the Minister’s commitment to ensuring every FCT resident has access to quality infrastructure.

Broader impact and next steps
FCT Minister of State Dr. Mariya Mahmoud said the network replaces unsafe boreholes and unregulated water vendors, which will improve public health, sanitation, and reduce costs for families.

Wike added that the FCT Administration will soon return to flag off reconstruction of all internal roads in Karu. He also announced that the Bwari Satellite Town water supply project will be commissioned in July 2026.

In a political aside, Wike congratulated President Tinubu on the APC’s victory in Saturday’s by-election and acknowledged the PDP for “maintaining a competitive spirit.”