Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu, has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to take immediate action and provide pipe borne water for residents of Maitama District to curb borehole digging.
Maikalangu, who made the call during the flag-off ceremony of 57 km road resurfacing projects, spanning 189 roads in the Maitama district, emphasised the necessity to address the on-going issue of residents resorting to digging boreholes due to inadequate water supply in the area.
While highlighting the beauty of Maitama as a settlement, the council chairman underscored the need for water supply intervention to relieve residents of the burden of borehole excavation.
He said: “We want to thank you sincerely for your earnest attention in making Abuja Municipal benefits in the infrastructural development under your watch.
“However, I must point out that this Maitama district, though a very beautiful settlement, has a big challenge in the area of water supply which needs to be rescued and resolved so that the inhabitants can be relieved of digging boreholes.
“Apparently, the roads in Maimata are weak because of several years of usage. Your intervention at this time cannot be overemphasised as Maitama represents the beacon of beauty in FCT and Nigeria at large.
“As AMAC chairman under which Maitama district is located, I will be visiting here to ensure that the completion of this project is strong and timely.”
In his response, Wike charged the elite to pay their taxes so as to enable government to carry out more developmental projects.
“What we are doing now is not within the area councils. This is the big men’s place. But when they tell them to pay tax now, they will begin to complain. They are happy the road is being resurfaced, but ask them where will the money come from if not through tax.,” Wike said.