The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has explained that the current water shortage affecting many parts of Abuja is due to major rehabilitation work being carried out on two key water treatment plants.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike noted that water supply will be rationed for at least the next two weeks while repairs continue on the affected facilities.
These works involve the replacement and reinstallation of important electro-mechanical equipment at the water plants, which are said to be operating below their full capacity.
Wike said the rehabilitation is being handled by the firm SCC Nigeria Limited and is aimed at improving the overall efficiency of water supply in the Federal Capital Territory.
He explained that Abuja is served by four water treatment plants, which are divided into Phases 1 through 4. The ones under repair—Phases 1 and 2—have been temporarily shut down to allow for technical work to continue safely and smoothly.
He noted that while Phases 3 and 4 remain operational, they are not enough to fully meet the water needs of the city and surrounding towns. Because of this, water will be distributed on a rationed basis. The FCT Water Board has already created a distribution schedule that rotates supply between different areas using Lines 1 and 2 of the city’s water network.
“The FCT Water Board operates four water treatment plants of 30,000m3/hour, which are divided into Phases 1, 2, 3 and 4,” Wike said. “As a result of the inefficiency of the plants, which are currently producing below their installed capacity, the contract was awarded for their rehabilitation to Messrs SCC Nigeria Limited.”
He added that the rehabilitation work is already at an advanced stage, especially on Phases 1 and 2, and assured residents that normal service will resume soon.
To help reduce the hardship during the upcoming Sallah celebrations, Wike stated that the two plants under repair will be temporarily restarted so that residents can have access to water during the festive period. This measure, he said, is meant to give some relief during a time when demand is expected to be high.
“This warranted a total shutdown of the two plants, which are interconnected. However, Phases 3 and 4 water treatment plants are operational but won’t sustain, meet or cater for the demand of the populace,” he noted.
Wike urged residents to store water in advance and manage their daily usage carefully during the rationing period. He also gave assurances that the contractors are working tirelessly to complete the work as fast as possible.
“Residents are therefore urged to store enough water to cater for their needs during this period as supply will be rationed,” he added.
