Water rationing begins in Abuja

Rationing of public water supply has started in some highbrow neighbourhoods and satellite towns of Abuja because of what authorities say is the “peak period of the dry season” and lack of adequate treatment plants.
The rationing affects the priciest areas of Asokoro, Maitama and Garki as well as satellite towns of Nyanya, Karu, Gwagwalada and Bwari, according to a public notice issued by the Federal Capital Territory Water Board.

 Based on the notice, the areas to be affected would have no water supply for four days in a week, while on the three remaining days they would have water for specified number of hours.
While Asokoro residents would have water supply for 24 hours after a two-day break, residents of Maitama would have supply restored for eight hours only.
Water would run for seven hours in Karu; for 13 hours in Gwagwalada; and for two hours only in Bwari old town, which lies just kilometres away from the Usuma Dam where the waterworks are sited.
“Please note that rationing of water supply is only a temporary measure. Full services will be available for all districts with the completion of Phases 3 and 4 treatment plants,” the FCT Water Board notice said. But it did not say specifically when the water projects would be completed.


Explaining the decision, Director of the FCT Water Board, Engr. Jibrin Ibrahim, told Daily Trust that the limited water supply was necessary for some parts of the territory because “this is the peak period of the dry season.”


Ibrahim said although raw water was available at the Lower Usuma Dam, funds were yet to be released for completion of Phase 3 and 4 water treatment plant at the dam, which would have complemented the exiting treatment plans.
He appealed to people affected by the rationing to bear with the situation as it was a temporary measure.

FCT minister Bala Mohammed recently told the House of Representatives Committee on FCT that high cost of imported metal pipes was hampering the completion of the water treatment plants.
Meanwhile, residents of Abuja at the weekend expressed concern water supply rationing in some areas.
Engr. Silas Ugwu, a resident of OAU Quarters in Asokoro, said taps in the area have been dry for the past one month, adding that they depend on local water vendors to get supplies.
Water vendors have hiked the price of a 20-litre of jerry can from N30 to N50 in to maximise profits during the rationing.

Madam Funke Asiru, a restaurant owner in Maitama, said the water vendor’s hike is due to high demand for water.

She said she wakes up at 2 am to fill up her empty drums when the tap rushes in order to avoid over depending on the water vendors.