Hidden Truth Behind Abuja’s Water Outage Unveiled By Wike – Residents React

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained that the current disruption in water supply affecting parts of Abuja city and surrounding satellite towns is due to the ongoing rehabilitation of two out of the four major water treatment plants that supply water to the area.

In a statement released on Sunday by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, it was revealed that water distribution will be rationed over the next two weeks. This is because only two treatment plants will remain operational while the other two undergo necessary repairs.

The statement appealed to residents for patience, assuring that the rehabilitation—aimed at improving long-term water delivery—will be completed within two weeks.

To ease the inconvenience during the upcoming Sallah festivities, the minister said the two plants under rehabilitation will be temporarily reactivated to boost water supply during the holiday.

Wike explained that the FCT Water Board operates four treatment plants with a combined capacity of 30,000 cubic meters per hour, divided across Phases 1 to 4. However, due to the underperformance of some plants, a contract was awarded to SCC Nigeria Limited for comprehensive upgrades.

The rehabilitation has reached an advanced stage in Phases 1 and 2, particularly involving the replacement of key electro-mechanical equipment. This necessitated the complete shutdown of the two interconnected plants.

Phases 3 and 4 remain operational, but they cannot fully meet the city’s water demand alone. As a result, residents are experiencing a partial, not total, disruption in potable water supply.

SCC is working round the clock to complete the upgrades ahead of schedule, the statement added.

To manage the limited supply, the Water Board has implemented a rationing timetable, alternating between Lines 1 and 2 in the distribution network. Residents are advised to store sufficient water to meet their needs during this period.