The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has provided reasons behind the recent water supply challenges currently affecting Abuja residents.
In a statement released on Sunday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister revealed that rehabilitation works are ongoing at two of the four major water treatment plants servicing the city. As a result, only two plants are fully operational at the moment.
Wike appealed to residents for patience, noting that water would be rationed across Abuja over the next two weeks while repair works continue. He assured that these upgrades are aimed at delivering better and more reliable services to the people of the FCT.
To ease the situation during the upcoming Salah festivities, the minister also disclosed that the two plants currently undergoing repairs would be temporarily brought back online to improve water availability for residents during the celebrations.
Providing further details, he explained, “The FCT Water Board operates four water treatment plants of 30,000m3/hour, which are divided into Phases 1, 2, 3 and 4.”
He continued, “As a result of the inefficiency of the plants, which are currently producing below their installed capacity, a contract was awarded for their rehabilitation to Messrs SCC Nigeria Limited.”
Wike noted that the rehabilitation project is already well advanced on Phases 1 and 2, where the vital Electro-mechanical equipment responsible for driving the treatment process is being replaced and reinstalled.
He added, “This warranted a total shutdown of the two plants, which are interconnected.”
The minister pointed out that while Phases 3 and 4 remain operational, they alone cannot sufficiently meet the water needs of Abuja’s growing population.
“Therefore, what is being experienced is a partial shutdown, not a total shutdown of the entire potable water supply to the residents of FCT, as two of the water treatment plants are still in operation. But there is a partial disruption in water production and supply to the residents.”
Wike assured that the contractors, SCC Nigeria Limited, are working around the clock to finish the repairs ahead of schedule.
He added, “Consequently, to minimise the adverse effects on the FCT residents, the Water Board has made a timetable on rationing by alternating between Lines 1 and 2 of the Distribution networks.”
In closing, Wike advised, “Residents are therefore urged to store enough water to cater for their needs during this period, as supply will be rationed.”
