Wike Signs Two MoU With Chinese Companies In Beijing

By: Wisdom Acka

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese companies.

The Memoranda was signed with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction (CGCOC) Group for the lighting up of the FCT, using solar power, as well as for rural water supply.

A press statement released from the Minister’s Office, has said.

According to the statement, the documents were signed by the Minister, who was part of President Bola Tinubu’s entourage during the just concluded Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, the Chinese capital.

Wike explained that the selected projects would be completed across the FCT in time for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Territory.

Parts of the statement read: “One key project, which is very dear to us and one of the reasons why we are here today is to light up Abuja, because Abuja will be fifty years by next year so it should be a jubilee year for us.”

“And we want Abuja to be like other cities, like what we see in Beijing. We have gone round and we have seen light everywhere and that is how we want Abuja to be. The whole area of Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, Central Business Districts, the Airport Road, down to Bill Clinton Drive will be handled by CCECC, while CGCOC would handle the districts of Mabushi, Katampe and Garki”, he added.

Speaking more on water supply, the Minister said: “And then again, we have gone further, you know the Greater Abuja Water Project, which is being handled by CGCOC, that has been awarded for years has reached 75 per cent completion”.

“We believe that by the grace of God, by this December or thereabout, they would have completed it,” he stressed.

On the necessity to extend water supply to FCT satellite areas, the statement quoted the Minister as he revealed the vision of the President: “The President said, look you can’t only provide for the city, you have to talk about the rural areas and so we are keeping up with this idea that there is need to have satellite town water supply in Gwagwalada, Kwali and Kuje. We have now signed the MoU with CGC for them to carry out this assignment”.

Wike went on to appreciate the quality of work done by CCECC in the execution of projects in Abuja, and thanked the company on behalf of the President, especially for its efforts in ensuring timely repairs and restoration of commercial operation on the Abuja Metroline, which the President commissioned as part of his first anniversary in office.

The Minister also thanked the President for always granting approvals to the FCT for its projects.

In their separate responses, the President, CCECC, Mr. Chen Sichang and CGCOC Chairman, Mr. Lan Meizhong expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in them to execute the projects, while assuring the Minister of quality and timely delivery of the projects.