FCT Water Board To Sustain Quality Water Supply

By Remi Johnson

The FCT Water Board has reiterated its resolve to keep supplying quality water for residents to guard against water borne diseases in the territory.

Acting General Manager of Water Board, Mr Daniel Audu Salka who gave this assurance during its end of year briefing in Abuja, said the Board recently received an award by the United Kingdom Occupational Safety and Health Association.

He said some Embassies and High Commissions in Nigeria connected to FCT Water Board have testified that the quality of water produced by the Board meets World Health Organization and International standards.

“This is to say that the safety of our staff at work is also of relevance to us which we have continued to promote”.

While explaining that the Water Board has 4 treatment plants with the capacity to produce 30,000m3 per hour for supply to customers in phases 1,2 and 3, the acting General Manager said 5 drums of water are sold to residents at #110 only, while the same quantity is sold at #300 to commercial customers.

The Acting General Manager however warned residents against illegal connection and vandalism of water facilities.

Speaking on its revenue generating feat, Mr Salka said the Board has generated over N3b naira as at November 2023, against the over N2b generated in 2022.

“In 2022, the Board’s IGR was N2, 477,885,341.77k only. But as at November 2023, the Board has made N3,055.685, 882.42k only… and we will do beyond 3 billion in 2024.”

Rolling out plans to improve service in the coming year, Mr Salka said the Board would Look outwards to invest more in maintenance, embark on gradual replacement of old pipes that are weak and prone to bursting, engage PPP to increase capacity and efficiency as well as adopt relevant technology.

“Technology is key for any water utility to experience efficiency. Technologies for water treatments, distribution and monitoring to improve efficiency and reduce water loss”.

Mr Salka also assured that the Board would embark on aggressive sensitization of residents on the need for residents to own the government facility to guard against vandalism.

The Water Board General Manager, warned that the administration has raised two task forces to check illegal connections and to invoke the Act of the Board on any defaulter arrested.

Lending his voice, the HOD Distribution, Akande Akinwunmi Olaler who noted that the facilities in FCT were overstretched due to influx of people orchestrated by insurgency, hinted that the Abuja master plan is being reviewed to address emerging issues.

According to him, the Federal Capital Developmet Authority, FCDA is in charge of all infrastructure in the FCT, while the Board only supplies water with the available infrastructure.

Edited By Grace Namiji