By Tony Christian
The much anticipated more than week long without water supplies in the Nigeria’s capital took affect on Monday after the Federal Capital Territory Administration announced it has shut two out of the four major water treatment plants in Abuja.
Recall that the FCTA had in a notice appealed to residents of city to brace up for two-week shutdown of water supplies, to eneble it carry out rehabilitation works at the plants, urging them to find alternative means for household supplies within the period of ongoing works.
However, some concerned group had in a statement kicked against the duration that residents will have to live without water, just as they noted that the rehabilitation works would coincide with the upcoming Sallah celebration.
Announcing the development, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, explained that the temporary shutdown is necessary to allow for the replacement and reinstallation of critical electro-mechanical equipment at the affected facilities.
According to him, the move is part of efforts to restore the plants to optimal performance.
Wike, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, confirmed that only two of the four treatment plants, Phases 3 and 4, remain operational during this period.
He said the ongoing work, being carried out by Messrs SCC Nigeria Limited, will be completed before the two-week deadline.
To cushion the impact of the shutdown during the upcoming Sallah celebrations, Wike said the FCTA plans to temporarily activate the affected plants to improve water availability during the festive period.
“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, 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 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 won’t 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 however working 24/7 to ensure that the works are concluded before the scheduled time.
“Consequently, in order to minimize the adverse effects on the FCT residents, the Water Board has made a time table 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 reads
