Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are witnessing a water shortage in the city centre and some satellite towns due to a major rehabilitation of two of the four water treatment plants that supply the city, according to Minister Nyesom Wike.
Mr. Lere Olayinka, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, stated on Sunday that water supply would be rationed for two weeks “while the rehabilitation takes place.”
This means only two plants will be operational during this period.
The FCT Administration (FCTA) appealed to residents to be patient, assuring them that the rehabilitation work was intended to improve service delivery and would be completed within the two-week timeframe.
The Minister also said that to mitigate the effects of the partial shutdown of water production and supply during the Sallah celebration, the two plants undergoing rehabilitation would be temporarily activated to supply water to residents during the festive period.
He said: “The FCT Water Board operates four water treatment plants with a capacity of 30,000m3/hour, divided into Phases 1, 2, 3, and 4.
“Due to the plants’ inefficiency, currently producing below their installed capacity, a contract was awarded to Messrs SCC Nigeria Limited for their rehabilitation.
“The rehabilitation works have reached an advanced stage on Phases 1 and 2, where the electro-mechanical equipment, the prime movers of the treatment plants, are 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 will not sustain, meet or cater for the demand of the populace.
“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 partial disruption on water production and supply to the residents.
“SCC is working 24/7 to ensure the works are concluded ahead of schedule. Consequently, to minimise the adverse effects on FCT residents, the Water Board has devised a timetable for 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.”
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