FCT Minister Explains Disruption of Abuja Water Supply

By: Wisdom Acka

FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike has explained that the disruption of water supply being experienced in parts of the Federal Capital Territory is a result of ongoing major rehabilitation work on four treatment plants at the Lower Usuma Dam (LUD) in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council.

The treatment plants are responsible for the production and distribution of water to residents of the Territory.

Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and social media, Lere Olayinka, who disclosed this in a press statement on 1st June, 2025, said that water supply would be rationed for two weeks, because only two treatment plants are in use.

The Minister, however, stated that in order to mitigate the effect of the partial shutdown of water production and supply during the sallah celebration, the two plants being rehabilitated would be temporarily put in use to supply water to residents.

Wike appealed to the residents to bear with the FCT Administration, assuring that rehabilitation of the two plants, meant to ensure better service delivery would be completed within two weeks.

His words: “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 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, 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 to 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.”

He assured, “SCC is, however, working 24/7 to ensure that the works are

concluded before the scheduled time.

“Consequently, 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 networks.

“Residents are therefore urged to store enough water to cater for their needs during this period as supply will be rationed.”