Water scarcity worsens in FCT

The water scarcity hitting most parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has worsened in satellite towns and many local communities. Abuja Metro previously reported that the shortage began hitting the nation’s capital in early January, affecting many districts including Asokoro, Maitama, Wuye, Gwarinpa, and Kubwa.  Officials of the FCT Water Board attributed the crisis […]

The water scarcity hitting most parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has worsened in satellite towns and many local communities.

Abuja Metro previously reported that the shortage began hitting the nation’s capital in early January, affecting many districts including Asokoro, Maitama, Wuye, Gwarinpa, and Kubwa. 

Officials of the FCT Water Board attributed the crisis to a shortage of raw water flowing from the Gurara Dam to the Usuman Dam.

Sources within the board also linked the situation to a lack of relevant water-treatment chemicals and the failure of the FCT Administration to pay accumulated bills to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), which subsequently cut power supply to the board’s offices.

Abuja Metro reports that the water situation has now deteriorated in most outlying communities. 

In Bwari, the headquarters of the Bwari Area Council, residents said they must wake up as early as 5 am to search for water at available private boreholes or wells.

Mrs. Jane Akogun, a resident of the Sabon-Gari area, said the situation is getting out of hand.

“I woke up today (Wednesday) as early as 4:30 am with two of my daughters to start looking for water. The situation is worse now because most of the wells we often rely on have dried up,” she said. 

Mrs. Akogun added that erratic electricity supply has exacerbated the problem, as borehole owners are unable to pump water.

Edafe Annes, who resides along SCC Road, noted that the water table appears to be dropping. 

“My borehole and those of my neighbours are drying up. Even when there is electricity, we can hardly fill half of our tank because the yield is so low,” she said.

The situation is similar in Gwagwalada, where residents reported that a 20-liter jerrycan of water now sells for up to N200 in some areas, compared to the previous price of N50 or N100. 

Musa Aliyu, a resident of the SDP area, pleaded with the FCT Administration to find a lasting solution to the annual water crisis.

In Abaji, many residents are forced to rely on nearby streams. 

Hajiya Jummai Ahmad, a resident of the Abattoir area, said many households have no choice but to trek to open water sources.

Similarly, residents of the Gawu community in Kuje Area Council lamented the absence of potable water, especially during the dry season. Many depend on ponds or dry stream beds where they must dig into the sand to scoop out water.

Mrs. Sarah Dagami told our reporter she wakes up at 3 am daily to trek to a dry stream.

 “The only borehole providing water for the community broke down years ago,” she said. Another resident, Mrs. Jummai Ayuba, noted that the community only finds relief during the rainy season. She currently uses water scooped from ponds for cooking, bathing, and washing clothes.

Mr. Zakariah Moses, a youth leader in the community, said residents had previously contributed money to fix a hand-pump borehole, but it has since broken down again. 

“We have written several letters to the Area Council requesting repairs, but there has been no positive response,” he said.

Moses also used the opportunity to appeal to the incoming chairman of the council, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, to address the perennial water problem and the lack of a functional health center, noting that the facility built during the administration of Senator Usman Jibrin Wowo has collapsed.

An official of the council, speaking on condition of anonymity, told our reporter via telephone on Thursday that the council has captured the refurbishment of rural boreholes in its current budget.

Also, an official of the FCT Water Board told Abuja Metro that the situation requires the urgent attention of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. 

He noted that while there are massive water expansion projects underway in towns like Bwari and Karu, they will not yield the desired results unless root problems regarding water treatment and distribution are addressed.