By Ben Adoga, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has explained why the FCT city centre and some parts of the city are experiencing a shortage of food supply.
He explained that two water plants are undergoing major rehabilitation, which was responsible for the partial disruption of the water supply in those parts of the FCT.
The Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, in a statement yesterday, said that water supply to residents will be rationed for two weeks, as only two of the four water treatment plants will be in use, while the other two are undergoing rehabilitation.
He appealed to the residents to bear with the FCTA, assuring them that the rehabilitation of the two plants, which is intended to ensure better service delivery, will be completed within two weeks.
The Minister also stated that to mitigate the effects of the partial shutdown of water production and supply during the Salah celebration, the two plants being rehabilitated will be temporarily put into operation to supply water to residents during the Salah festive period.
He explained that “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 necessitated a complete shutdown of the two interconnected plants.
“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 the FCT, as two of the water treatment plants are still operational. However, there is a partial disruption in 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, to minimise the adverse effects on FCT residents, the Water Board has created 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.”
