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FG, Chinese firms sign power, water supply MoU for Abuja
By Francesca Hangeior.
The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has signed two Memoranda of Understanding with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and the China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction Group to enhance the lighting of the Federal Capital Territory and boost improved rural water supply.
The announcement was made in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday by the Director of Press in the Office of the FCT Minister, Anthony Ogunleye.
The MoUs were signed in Beijing, China, during Wike’s visit with President Bola Tinubu for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.
The statement added that the projects outlined in the MoUs are set to be completed in time for the 50th anniversary of the creation of the FCT.
Wike, Chinese firms sign power, water supply MoU for Abuja
The Minister emphasised that these initiatives align with President Tinubu’s agenda to bring positive changes to the FCT.
Wike stated, “One key project that is very dear to us is the lighting up of Abuja. As Abuja will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, we envision it to be a jubilee year.
We want Abuja to shine like other global cities, similar to the lighting we have seen in Beijing.”
The statement further added that under the agreements, CCECC will handle the lighting of key areas including Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, the Central Business Area, Airport Road, and Bill Clinton Drive.
Meanwhile, CGCOC will manage the lighting projects in Mabushi, Katampe, and Garki districts.
In addition to the lighting project, Wike addressed the provision of water while also highlighting the progress on the Greater Abuja Water Works project, managed by CGCOC, which is nearing 75 per cent completion.
The Minister expressed optimism that the project would be completed by December.
Wike also announced plans to extend water supply to rural areas, including Gwagwalada, Kwali, and Kuje, through a new MoU with CGCOC.
He underscored the President’s directive to not only focus on the city but also to address the needs of rural communities.
Both Mr. Chen Sichang, President of CCECC, and Mr. Lan Meizhong, Chairman of CGCOC, expressed their gratitude for the trust placed in them and assured the Minister of their commitment to delivering the projects with high quality and within the stipulated timelines.
The signing of these MoUs is a significant outcome of the recent FOCAC Summit held in Beijing.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s family residence in Kogi was reportedy invaded by gunmen around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16, leaving damaged windows but no injuries.
The incident happened at her hometown residence in Obeiba-Ihima, located in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Sources familiar with the event said the attackers arrived around 1:00 a.m. Armed with cutlasses and guns, they damaged parts of the building, smashing windows and causing panic in the area. At least three men were involved in the attack.
Senator Natasha’s Chief Security Officer, Yakubu Ovanja, quickly informed the appropriate security agencies.
In response, officers from the Okehi Police Division rushed to the scene.
Although nobody was hurt and no suspects have been arrested yet, security officials recorded the extent of the damage and launched a preliminary investigation.
The reason behind the attack is still unknown, and as of now, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not released any official statement. She represents Kogi Central in the Senate and is known as a vocal figure in Nigerian politics.
According to Zagazola Makama, police are still trying to figure out what motivated the attackers and are working to find those responsible.
The communities came under simultaneous attacks just a day after the killing of 11 persons at Otobi Community also in Otukpo LGA.
Benue has in the past decade experienced incessant attacks.
Suspected herdsmen have again stepped up violent attacks as no fewer than three communities in the Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State were attacked on Wednesday.
The communities affected during the fresh attacks include Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju all in Otukpo where five persons were killed in February. The communities came under simultaneous attacks just a day after the killing of 11 persons at Otobi Community also in Otukpo LGA.
Local sources confirm that several people may have been feared dead again in the fresh attack.
Wednesday’s attack came hours after Governor Hyacinth Alia confirmed the arrest of three suspected herders in connection with the invasion of Otobi village on Tuesday night.
When contacted, Otukpo LGA Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attack on the three communities, saying that the attackers stormed the communities at the time when the Commissioner of Police was still at the Ochidoma Palace over the previous day’s attack on Otobi.
He added that three people sustained injury in the attacks on the three communities, leading to women and children abandoning the communities for fear of being killed.
“Only young men were in the communities when the attackers arrived. The prompt response from combined security operatives made the attackers flee and none of them were arrested,” Ogiri stated.
The police spokesperson in the state, Sewuese Anene, was yet to confirm details of the attacks on the three communities.
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