By Peter Usman
Abuja (Nigeria) – Kwali community in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja will now have a sigh of relief after many years, as the Minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, commissioned a rehabilitated and upgraded major Water-works for the community.
Addressing the residents at the occasion, the Minister reiterated the commitment of FCT Administration to providing infrastructural and social amenities at the grassroots in the second half of his Administration.
Bello also conveyed the gratitude of his Administration to Messrs CGC Nigeria Ltd for responding positively to the Administration’s appeals to companies doing business in the FCT, to take-up corporate social responsibility projects.
It is by so doing. the Minister noted, companies would be partnering with FCT Administration in its efforts to improve the living conditions of FCT residents.
Handing over the project to the Council Chairman and people of Kwali, the Minister urged them to ensure proper maintenance of the waterworks and vigilance over the facilities to guide against vandals.
Managing Director, CGC Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Tony Ye Shuijin revealed that the rehabilitation and upgrading works executed by the company comprise two mini-water treatment plants, five boreholes, five tanks, 4400 meters of reticulation pipelines as well as 29 water fetching points.
In addition, he said , the power supply system has been changed from generating sets to two solar power panels, which he remarked, are cheaper and more reliable.
All of these ,he explained, could supply water to over 3000 people.
Mr. Ye Shuijin recalled that M/S CGC Nigeria Ltd began work in Nigeria as a borehole company some 30 years ago but has since grown into a multinational corporation with footprints across the world and interests spanning project consultancy, investments, infrastructure, logistics, and trading.
For him, the gift of this project to Kwali people signifies their concern for the ordinary folks and the face of China-Africa relationship.
The MD recalled that way back when they commissioned their first boreholes in Northern Nigeria, local residents showered them with gifts of yams and chickens. For him, it was time to begin to give back to the people, in keeping with the Chinese proverb that “Little drops of beneficial water must be repaid with overflowing gratitude.”
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Coordinator, Satellite Town Development Department, the anchor agency for the project, Isyaku Yamawo, recalled that the Kwali Waterworks was constructed in 1980 but eventually became defunct due to lack of effective maintenance by past administrations.
Yamawo noted that old water scheme was repaired with extension of more pipelines as well as replacement of damaged ones.
He spoke of ongoing efforts by the Administration to move development to the Area Councils by ensuring massive construction of infrastructure and social amenities.
