President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday in Abuja declared an end to the long-standing neglect of satellite communities in the Federal Capital Territory as he commissioned the Karu Water Supply Network designed to serve residents of Karu and neighbouring areas. The project was inaugurated at Kurudu Community along the Karu-Karshi Road, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing the President at the event.
The commissioning marked another step in the Federal Government’s efforts to improve access to basic services in communities outside the city centre. Tinubu said the new water network reflects his administration’s commitment to bringing development closer to residents who have spent years without adequate infrastructure and public services.
According to the President, the project aligns with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to improve living conditions through practical and people-focused projects. He noted that access to clean and safe water remains a basic necessity and that government has a responsibility to ensure citizens enjoy such essential services regardless of where they live.
Tinubu explained that the Karu Water Supply Project originated from a directive he gave for the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project to be extended beyond the central districts of the capital. He said many workers and families reside in satellite communities and deserve the same level of infrastructure available within the city.
The President disclosed that funding for the project was released promptly to avoid delays, allowing the contractor, CGC Nigeria Limited, to complete the work ahead of schedule. The scheme includes more than 194 kilometres of secondary and tertiary water pipelines that will provide treated water to Karu, Jikwoyi, Kurudu, Orozo and nearby settlements.
He stated that the project would improve sanitation, public health and daily living standards for thousands of residents who previously depended on private boreholes and water vendors. Tinubu also urged community members to protect the facilities and avoid activities that could damage the infrastructure or disrupt water supply.
During the event, the President commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for overseeing the implementation of projects across the territory. He noted that ongoing developments in roads, housing, healthcare, education and water supply demonstrate the administration’s focus on delivering visible results to citizens.
Wike, in his remarks, thanked the President for supporting infrastructure projects in satellite communities that have historically faced development challenges. He said the Karu Water Scheme was carried out in response to Tinubu’s directive that residents outside the city centre should also benefit from government investments.
The minister added that the FCT Administration would continue to pursue projects aimed at improving the welfare of residents across the territory. He described the water project as part of broader efforts to bridge infrastructure gaps and improve living conditions in rapidly growing communities.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said the project represents a major achievement in the government’s drive to expand access to essential services. She noted that residents had waited many years for a reliable public water supply and expressed confidence that the new network would support healthier living conditions and economic activities.
Mahmoud said improved access to clean water would reduce the burden on households that have relied on costly alternative sources for years. She also appealed to residents to take responsibility for protecting the facilities to ensure their continued operation.
Providing details of the project, the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Richard Dauda, explained that the scheme uses an existing reservoir and more than 1,000 distribution connections to deliver potable water to communities across the Karu axis. He described the project as a major intervention that would improve the welfare of residents and support future population growth.
For many years, residents of Karu and surrounding communities have depended largely on private water suppliers and boreholes due to the absence of municipal water services.
Community leaders had repeatedly appealed for government intervention as the area continued to expand. With the completion of the new water network, households and businesses are expected to enjoy easier access to safe water while spending less on daily water needs.