NIGERIA: Tinubu Declares End to Neglect of FCT Satellite Towns, Commissions 194km Water Project

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared an end to the era of neglect of satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), saying his administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” is focused on inclusive development and equitable access to basic infrastructure.

The President made the declaration on Monday in Kurudu, Abuja, during the commissioning of a 194-kilometre water supply network designed to serve Karu, Orozo, Jikwoyi, Kurudu and surrounding communities.

He was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“Today, we declare that the era of neglect for our satellite towns is officially over,” Tinubu said.

He explained that the project reflects his administration’s commitment to delivering governance that prioritises citizens’ welfare across both urban centres and peripheral communities.

“We promised a government that listens, a government that plans, and, crucially, a government that delivers,” the President stated.

Tinubu noted that the water project is part of efforts to ensure that residents in satellite towns enjoy access to essential services such as clean and potable water, which he described as a fundamental human right.

He revealed that over 194 kilometres of secondary and tertiary pipelines have been completed, connecting treated water directly to households across the benefiting communities.

The President also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for driving infrastructure development across Abuja and its satellite towns.

“What we are witnessing in the FCT today, across transport, healthcare, education, housing, roads, and now massive water infrastructure, is a testament to what happens when vision meets executive capacity,” he said.

Tinubu further urged residents to protect the infrastructure from vandalism and illegal connections, stressing that it belongs to the people and was delivered with public resources.

Earlier, the FCT Minister said the project was executed in line with presidential directives to extend critical infrastructure to underserved communities.

The Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, said the system was designed to serve over 1,000 distribution points across the affected satellite towns.

The administration said similar water projects are also being extended to other Area Councils, including Bwari, as part of broader urban renewal efforts in the FCT.