‎By Olawumi Oyehan

‎President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday, revealed that the Bwari township water supply network in Bwari Area Council, Abuja has provided over 1,600 direct jobs for Nigerians.

‎Tinubu, who stated this at the commissioning of the water supply network, Abuja, said his administration has changed the narrative about Abuja being ‘a tale of two cities’.

‎He lamented that the narrative has been so long, and his administration has ended it.

‎Tinubu, who was represented by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said Nigeria belongs to everyone and, development must be decentralized!

‎”Let me start by saying this: the Renewed Hope Agenda is not a slogan. It is a contract. It is a deliberate, calculated, and unyielding commitment to governance that works for the people.When we took the oath of office three years ago, we made a solemn promise to the citizens of this country.

‎”We promised that development would not just be discussed in the air-conditioned offices of city centres, while our people in satellite towns and rural communities are left in the dark.

‎”For too long, the narrative of Abuja has been a tale of two cities—a glittering centre surrounded by underserved communities. We said no.

‎”That era is gone. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and development must be decentralised!” Tinubu said.

‎He commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

‎”When the Honorable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, came to me with the master plan for these interventions, I looked at the files. I saw that for years, our people in Bwari, Ushafa, and surrounding communities have relied on untreated boreholes and streams. Water is life. Clean water is dignity. It is a fundamental right, not a luxury. I gave him a direct order: ‘Go out there, mobilise the best, and fix it'”, he said.

‎He revealed that the water project generated over 1,600 jobs for Nigerians.

‎”By linking Bwari Township and its environs directly to our major treated water source at the Lower Usuma Dam, we are ending waterborne diseases and the constant, expensive digging of individual boreholes.

‎”I am told that this project alone has generated over 1,600 direct and indirect jobs for our youths, opening up new economic pathways right here in the Area Council”, he said .

‎And he added that the massive, state-of-the-art 198-kilometre water pipeline network, was completed before schedule because the necessary funds was provided.

‎He therefore assured that , before his tenure is through, the water revolution will fully cover Kuje, Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji.

‎He also commended Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, “Mr. Project! You have shown that with fiscal discipline, political will, and a deep love for the people, transformation is not only possible but also inevitable.

‎” From boosting the FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue to executing 31 landmark projects simultaneously across the territory—from roads to housing and now water—you have proven to be a reliable champion of the Renewed Hope Agenda” .

‎Wike, in his speech, commended the President for all his support for the FCT Administration.

‎”So, in that sense, since the assumption of Mr President in office in 2023, he has been able to provide water for the center, provide water for the satellite towns in Karu and other communities, and also provide water for Bwari.

‎” Let people know that we are not only concentrating on roads; we are also making sure other sectors are being touched. That is why we are here.

‎” Since Mr President came on board, virtually all the roads in Ushafa, in Bwari Area Council, have been completed, which was commissioned last year. By the grace of God, before the end of this year, we will also commission the 17 km of Bwari to Kubwa, by the grace of God. And I’m sure you can see the turnout of people. That is to say how happy they are,” Wike said.

‎Meanwhile, FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has described the newly commissioned Water Supply Network to Bwari Satellite Town as a major milestone in the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at expanding access to essential infrastructure and improving the quality of life of FCT residents.

‎Delivering the vote of thanks at the commissioning ceremony in Bwari Mahmoud expressed appreciation to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for commissioning the project, describing her as a symbol of compassion, patriotism and commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.

‎She also commended Tinubu for his unwavering support for the development of the nation’s capital, and praised Wike for his visionary leadership in accelerating infrastructure delivery across the FCT, particularly in underserved satellite towns.

‎Describing the project as “the fulfilment of a promise,” Mahmoud said access to clean water would improve public health, enhance livelihoods and restore public confidence in government.

‎She thanked members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, development partners, engineers, contractors and the people of Bwari for their support, while urging residents to protect the facility and use water responsibly to ensure its sustainability.

‎She reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s commitment to delivering more people-centred infrastructure projects in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.