- FCT Minister Nyesom Wike signed agreements with Chinese firms CCECC and CGCOC to fast-track Abuja’s solar power and rural water projects.
- CCECC will install solar street lights in significant areas of Abuja, while CGCOC will complete the Greater Abuja Water Works and extend water supply to underserved regions.
- The projects are set to be completed before Abuja’s 50th-anniversary celebrations next year, aiming to enhance city safety, livability, and service reach.
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has signed significant agreements with two Chinese companies to boost Abuja’s solar power and rural water supply. The deals were finalised at the Beijing Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.
Wike, who accompanied President Bola Tinubu to China, secured Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction (CGCOC). Both projects are set to be completed before Abuja’s 50th-anniversary celebrations next year.
“We are committed to delivering clean water and solar energy to Abuja quickly,” said Wike after the signing. CCECC will install solar street lights in areas such as Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, the Central Business District, and Airport Road down Bill Clinton Drive. CGCOC will handle water projects, including finishing the Greater Abuja Water Works, which is 75% complete.
“The solar lighting project is about more than looks; it’s about safety and livability,” Wike added. He noted that well-lit streets improve security, boost commerce, and enhance quality of life.
CGCOC will also extend clean water supply to underserved areas like Gwagwalada, Kwali, and Kuje. “President Tinubu wants essential services to reach every part of the FCT, including satellite towns,” Wike explained. He expressed confidence that CGCOC will deliver on this promise, addressing long-standing water supply issues.
CCECC President Chen Sichang and CGCOC Chairman Lan Meizhong committed to completing the projects on time and to high standards. “We are honoured to contribute to Abuja’s transformation,” said Meizhong.
The agreements were witnessed by several key officials, including the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Treasury, Adamu Wanki, the Executive Director of the Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Mohammed Hassan, and the Director of Procurement for the FCT, Musa Idris.