The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has spoken of plans to create over 1,600 direct and indirect jobs for youths of the capital city.
Wike disclosed that the jobs will be created through the provision of potable water in all the area councils of the FCT by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He made the disclosure during the flag-off of the construction and expansion of water supply to FCT satellite towns, Lot 1; Bwari Township in Bwari Area Council, on Wednesday.
The minister said, “Remember in 2023 when we were appointed, we had stakeholders meeting with the six area councils and in one of such meetings I did say that the president is desirous in providing portable clean water to the Satellite towns.
“When he made that statement, of course, people will always see it as being politics but I remind you that one thing you must give to Mr President is that when he makes his promises, he always fulfills.
“Today, we are in Bwari and tomorrow we will be in Karu. In essence, we are doing two areas councils together.The President has mandated that yes the contract for this ought to be 18 months but we discussed with the contractors and pleaded with them that by the third year anniversary of Mr president we will be able to commission these projects.
“And when the contractors assured us that they can if funds are made available, Mr president immediately approved 50 percent of the total contract sum to CGC Nigeria and I hope that by the grace of God knowing the commitment of this company in which ever job that is given to them they will deliver on time.
“What this tells us is that we are not concentrating development only in the city area, we are also carrying development to the area councils. By the time we finish in Bwari and Karu, the next year’s budget will be to Kuje, Kwali and by the grace of God in 2027 we would have taken over Gwagwalada and Abaji.
“By the time Mr president’s four years expires, there will be clean, treated water. This will provide jobs for our teeming youths, create about 1600 direct and indirect employment.
“This is the first time a government is saying you too deserve to have portable, clean water because water is life. It’s not just saying it but implementing it.”
Wike also assured that projects embarked on by his administration will not be abandoned.
He added: “Be assured that this will not be water you will say is an abandoned project, we don’t abandon projects. We start and we complete it.
“I thank God you have reminded us that agreement is agreement, we have agreed that we are going to do water and we are bringing water, when I come back to say we have performed you too will perform.”
