Wike: FCT to undergo two-week water supply rationing due to plant rehabilitation

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced that water supply across Abuja and surrounding satellite towns will be rationed for two weeks as a result of ongoing rehabilitation work on two major water treatment plants.

The minister, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, urged residents to store adequate water to meet their daily needs during the temporary disruption.

According to the statement, the current water shortage in parts of the city is due to the shutdown of Phases 1 and 2 of the FCT’s water treatment plants, which are undergoing major rehabilitation. Only Phases 3 and 4 remain operational, but they are not sufficient to meet the city’s full water demand.

“To improve efficiency and ensure better service delivery, a contract was awarded to Messrs SCC Nigeria Limited to rehabilitate the treatment plants, particularly the electro-mechanical systems which drive water production,” the statement read.

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The rehabilitation has reached an advanced stage, but the interconnected nature of Phases 1 and 2 required a complete shutdown of both facilities. Meanwhile, Phases 3 and 4 continue to supply water, preventing a total outage, but supply remains limited.

To reduce the impact on residents, the FCT Water Board has introduced a rationing schedule that alternates supply between Lines 1 and 2 of the distribution network. Wike assured residents that efforts are being made to temporarily resume operations at the shut-down plants during the Sallah celebration to ease the pressure.

“SCC is working around the clock to ensure completion of the works ahead of schedule,” the statement added.

Residents are advised to store sufficient water and cooperate with the temporary rationing measures, as normal supply is expected to resume within two weeks.