Abuja Needs N17bn For Water … To Access N940m Virement

Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, needs about N17billion for water reticulation, to effectively check the perennial water scarcity that hit the territory from time to time.

Also, the N940,703,892.50 virement approved by the National Assembly for the territory will be accessed before the end of the year to augment the on-going projects with inadequate appropriations.

FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed dropped these hints at the House of  Representatives when he appeared before the House Committee on Environment to defend the virement proposal as it relates to FCT administration at the House of Representatives’ Committee Room, Abuja on Monday.

Mohammed said about N17 billion is needed by the FCT administration for water reticutation in the FCT; noting that those issues surrounding the kind of pipes to be used bad been resolved by President Jonathan.

The Minister expressed the determination of his administration to stamp out the use of water vendors aka ‘Mai Ruwa’ since they also pose security challenges in the FCT.

Mohammed said the N940 vired fund would grossly assist the FCT administration to execute the affected projects to reasonable levels of completion.

The Minister assured that no stone would be left unturned in accessing and utilizing the vired funds for peoples’ oriented projects in consonance with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan as well as the vision and the Road Map of his administration.

“The FCT administration under my leadership will establish collaboration and synergy with the National Assembly by making FCT A one big family, as we strive to provide dividends of democracy to the residents,” he stressed.

During the question and answer session, Senator Mohammed revealed that the procurement process has gone far on pedestrian bridges along the Nnamdi Azikwe Expressway (Ring Road I) to reduce the challenges currently faced by pedestrians at this axis of the Federal Capital City, Abuja.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Emmanuel Jime said that the defence of the virement will surely afford the FCT Minister and his team the opportunity to showcase the vision of the government.

The affected projects include the provision of engineering infrastructure to Guzape  District Lot II; construction and equipping of 220 Bed Utako District Hospital: establishment of International Technical and Vocational Institute Utako and four Comprehensive Science and Technical Colleges in FCT; as well as provision of Engineering Infrastructure to Abuja Technology Village: Phase I.

Justus Awaji, Abuja