• Says shortage due to ongoing rehabilitation
• Residents groan, seek alternatives
By Sarah NEGEDU
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured residents of Abuja that the ongoing rehabilitation works on two of the four water treatment plants won’t affect supply during the Muslim holiday of Sallah.
While attributing the lack of water supply in Abuja City Centre and several satellite towns to ongoing rehabilitation works, he asked for understanding from residents.
Already, residents have been complaining while a few have expressed worry over the lack of public water supply during the Sallah festivities.
Ismail Omipidan, a journalist, an author and public affairs analyst, on a social media post questioned the timing as he said it “isn’t appropriate, considering that Sallah is just next week. A lot of water will be needed for use during this celebration.
“To this end, I am appealing on behalf of hundreds of Abuja residents to give us the opportunity of enjoying uninterrupted water supply during this Sallah festival. Please, consider having the work carried out immediately after Sallah.”
However, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, on Sunday assured that to ease the impact during the Sallah celebrations, the two treatment plants undergoing repairs will be temporarily activated to provide water during the festive period.
He explained it is due to the temporary shutdown of two treatment plants for rehabilitation, while the remaining two continue operations.
Wike appealed for patience from residents, assuring them that the ongoing rehabilitation is aimed at improving service delivery and will be completed within two weeks.
Explaining the situation, Wike stated,” The FCT Water Board operates four water treatment plants of 30,000m3/hour, which are divided into Phases 1, 2, 3 and 4.
“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.
“The rehabilitation works have reached an advanced stage on Phases 1 and 2 where the Electro-mechanical equipment, which is the prime mover of the treatment plants is to be replaced and reinstalled.
“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 emphasised that the situation is a partial, not total, shutdown of potable water supply in the FCT, as two treatment plants remain in use. Nonetheless, there will be supply disruptions.
Wike further assured residents that the contractors, SCC Nigeria Limited, are working around the clock to complete the rehabilitation ahead of schedule.
He advised residents to store sufficient water to meet their daily needs during the period of rationing.
“Consequently, in order to minimize 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 network.
“Residents are therefore urged to store enough water to cater for their needs during this period as supply will be rationed,”Wike added.
