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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Despite ongoing rehabilitation work on two of the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) four water treatment plants, the Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, has appealed to residents in Abuja city centre and its surrounding satellite towns to be patient with the disruption of the water supply ensuring everything was under control.
The Minister made the revelation via a statement released on Sunday, June 1, 2025, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the Minister said the rehabilitation is critical to restoring the plants to optimal performance, as they are currently operating below installed capacity.
He said that only two of the four water treatment plants Phases 3 and 4 were currently operational, while Phases 1 and 2 have been temporarily shut down to allow for the replacement and reinstallation of electro-mechanical components.
“As a result, residents will experience partial disruption in water supply, not a total shutdown,” Wike stated. “Water will be rationed over the next two weeks to ensure fair distribution across the city.”
Although he assured that measures were being taken to reduce hardship during the Sallah celebration, hence the two plants under rehabilitation will be temporarily switched on to boost supply for residents during the festive period.
The rehabilitation contract was awarded to Messrs SCC Nigeria Limited, and work is already at an advanced stage. The company is reportedly working round-the-clock to complete the repairs before the scheduled timeline.
“In order to minimize the effects of the partial shutdown, the FCT Water Board has developed a rationing timetable that alternates between Lines 1 and 2 of the distribution network,” the statement added.
Residents have been advised to store enough water to meet their daily needs while the repairs last, and to cooperate with the FCTA as it works to improve essential services.