FCTA TO CONNECT 50 DISTRICTS, MASS HOUSING ESTATES TO POTABLE WATER SUPPLY

…Targets 1.5 million Abuja homes

…Project to generate 3,000 jobs

By: Ben Ukeji & Prudence Okonna

At least, not less than 50 Districts and several Mass Housing Estates located in Phases II, III and IV of the Federal Capital City (FCC), will soon begin to enjoy uninterrupted potable water supply to their homes.

This is as a result of relentless efforts by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), a grade “A ” parastatal under the supervision of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), to complete work on the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project, and reticulate clean and safe drinking water to FCT  residents.

By embarking on the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project, government intends to tackle the perennial shortage of potable water supply in parts of the 250 square kilometers of the FCC, Abuja.

The ambitious project is expected to provide potable water supply to 50 Districts of the FCC, covering about 1.5 million inhabitants, who are hitherto, depending on other sources of water that may not be hygienic and safe for use.

The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, disclosed this over the weekend, in an exclusive interview with Abuja Digest Newspaper in his office,FCDA Headquarters, Abuja.  

The Executive Secretary said the lack of water supply in homes in the Federal Capital City will soon be a thing of the past following the decision by the management of FCTA/FCDA to confront the problem of water scarcity in some parts of the city head on.

Engr. Ahmad said the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project has the potential of reticulating millions of cubic meters of treated water into homes and industrial premises for both domestic and industrial utilization; thereby, solving the problem of water scarcity in Abuja for several decades.

He said, this will be possible given the fact that the implementation strategy of the project recognizes the demographic growth of the city.

Engr. Ahmad explained that upon the completion of the Gurara Water Transfer project as well as the 5th and 6th Phases of the Water Treatment Plants at the Lower Usuma Dam, the knotty issues of raw water and treated water to the residents would have  been put to rest.

His words: “I can assure you that the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project being executed by the leadership of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), will solve the question of treated water reticulation to different locations; thereby, providing the needed clean and safe drinking water to over 50 Districts, including several Mass Housing Estates across the nation’s Capital, Abuja.”

According to him, the on-going scheme will lead to the construction of the Distribution Loops 1,2,5 and 6, of the Abuja Water Supply Master Plan, which is expected to deliver potable water for both domestic and industrial purposes to at least 1.5million residents, across Phases II, III, and IV respectively.

He noted that the project, when completed, aside from improving water supply to Phase I of the Federal Capital City, will also create job opportunities in the formal and informal sectors for over 3,000 persons.

Engr. Ahmad, who revealed that the project is already 45 percent completed, said the project is also built on the premise of enhancing the health and well-being of residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

‘’The Greater Abuja Water Supply Project was conceived to guarantee access to potable water, boost water supply to millions of residents, especially those living in Estates and Mass Housing projects built around the Phases II and III of the city,” he emphasized.

He further explained: “The project will cover construction of Loops 1,2,5 & 6 in Phases II & III North and South of the City.”

The Executive Secretary also revealed that the project will lead to the laying of 422 kilometers of Ductile Iron pipes of various diameters including the installation of various appurtenances – Valves, fittings, and chambers along the pipelines across the Federal Capital City.

He also disclosed that the project will cut across Bunkoro, Gwarinpa I & II, Nbora, Karmo, Dape, Kafe and Wupa, and Institution & Research Districts respectively.

Similarly, this project is expected to cover Katampe, Mabushi, Utako, Wuye, Dakibiyu, Jabi, Kado, Jahi, Katampe Extension, Kukwaba, Durumi, Gudu, Dutse, Gaduwa, Duboyi, Kaura Galadimawa, Dakwo, Lokogoma, Wumba, Saraji, Kabusa, Okanje and Pyakassa as well as Industrial Area II (ATV) Districts.

Other Districts are Industrial Area I & Extension, Karsana North, Karsana South, Karsana East, Karsana West, Idogwari, Ido-sabo, Sabon Gida, Kodo, Kagini, Abuja West Central District, Gwagwa, Kaba, Bakusa, and Filindabo among others.

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari and indeed the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, for their support towards the realisation of the project, he appealed to members of the National Assembly to ensure that adequate budgetary provisions are made to ensure successful and satisfactory delivery of this all-important project.