Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, expressed anger over a damaged water pipeline that disrupted supply to parts of Abuja, vowing sanctions against those responsible.
Wike spoke while fielding questions from journalists shortly after inspecting some ongoing infrastructure projects across the capital city, including roads and bridge at various stages of completion.
The minister said he was briefed on the incident following the retirement of the former General Manager of the FCT Water Board, adding that he immediately demanded clarification on what led to the disruption.
Though the disruption didn’t lead to a citywide water scarcity, the minister however maintained that the isolated incident was unacceptable and would be thoroughly investigated.
In his words, “Yes, I was informed that the former GM has just retired, and has handed over to the most senior. So when I had that information, I had to find out what happened and I was told that one of the very big pipes for the water project has been damaged because of a private development. Somebody who is carrying out a private development damaged that pipe and the water board is working tirelessly to make sure that that has being put back for use.”
Wike warned that the FCT Administration would not hesitate to take action against those responsible, including possible shutdown of the affected project.
“But we are going there tomorrow to see what happened, why the private developer should not be sanctioned? If it means that I have to shut down the project, I would shut it down because you cannot suffer the public and you are freely going about to develop your own property. So be assured that we are going to take action but this is the position.”
He appealed to residents to be patient while repairs are ongoing, assuring that efforts were in place to restore normal water supply.
“The board is working seriously to rectify it. So, I appeal to members of the public to please be patient with us. It is not our own fault, it is the fault of a private developer but we have no excuse not to put it back. So, that is what we are doing now.”
Wike, however, used the inspection tour to review several ongoing projects across Abuja, reaffirming the administration’s target of delivering key infrastructure ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third-year anniversary.
At the road project in the Wuse Zone 3 area of AMAC, the minister expressed dissatisfaction with delays despite commending the quality of work, insisting that agreed deadlines must be respected.
“We agreed that by the end of May or June that job will be delivered. I’m not going to accept that,” he said, directing that the project must be handed over by the second week of June.
He however praised contractors handling the N16 interchange and the Institutions and Research avenue close to the Body of Benchers, Nile University and Baze University axis, describing their work as high quality and on track for commissioning.
At Tudun Madaki, where a major access road and bridge linking Bill Clinton Drive from the Airport Road is nearing completion, Wike said the project would significantly improve connectivity and ease movement in the area.
He disclosed that plans were underway to extend the corridor from the bridge axis to Zuba, adding that compensation and evaluation processes for affected communities were already in progress.
Wike also highlighted ongoing investments in water supply, education and healthcare, noting that satellite water projects in Bwari, Karu and Orozo, as well as renovated schools and upgraded health facilities, would be commissioned alongside road projects.