By Bukola Kayode
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that the current water scarcity being experienced in the Abuja City Centre and several satellite towns is due to the ongoing rehabilitation works at two of the four water treatment plants serving the area.
Wike explained the situation in a statement issued on Sunday by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, water supply will be rationed for the next two weeks.
He explained that the rationing will continue due to the temporary shutdown of two treatment plants for rehabilitation, while the remaining two continue operations.
The Minister appealed for patience from residents, saying, the ongoing rehabilitation is aimed at improving service delivery and will be completed within two weeks.
To ease the impact during the Sallah celebration, the Minister said the two treatment plants undergoing repairs will be temporarily activated to provide water during the festive period.
The statement read in part: ” 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,” the statement further read.
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