FCT water plant at risk of shorting down, expert warns
A water expert, Mr. Aliyu Abubakar, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to urgently address the imminent water shortage facing residents to avert a full-scale crisis. Abubakar, who made the call while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, noted that the challenges facing the FCT Water Board […]
A water expert, Mr. Aliyu Abubakar, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to urgently address the imminent water shortage facing residents to avert a full-scale crisis.
Abubakar, who made the call while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, noted that the challenges facing the FCT Water Board primarily involve the water treatment plant.
According to him, the facility is at risk of shutting down due to a shortage of essential chemicals needed to treat raw water supplied from Gurara to the Lower Usuma Dam, located in the Ushafa, Bwari Area Council.
He noted that the transfer of raw water from the Gurara Dam, which was previously conducted on a monthly basis, has dwindled to once a year.
“Since October 2025, there has been no transfer of water; therefore, in terms of volume, the dam is currently operating at half its capacity,” he said.
“Another concern is that water from the Lower Usuma Dam intended for the treatment plants—which are integral to the production and distribution of potable water across Abuja—is reportedly being diverted, thereby reducing the plants’ required capacity.”
Abubakar also advocated for a consistent electricity supply for the FCT Water Board, disclosing that the board has been relying on two diesel-powered generators to run its turbines at the Lower Usuma Dam.
“These generators cannot effectively power the turbines. One has already broken down, reducing the production of potable water to less than 40 per cent of its usual output,” he added.
The expert appealed to the FCT Minister to prioritize the issue, noting that water supply is a key component of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is as essential to urban life as good roads. (NAN)