FCT Blames Water Scarcity On Climate Change

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Water Board has attributed the shortage of water in some areas in the territory, like Gwarinpa, Maitama areas to climate change which is affecting the increase of water in lower Usuma dam.

The acting general manager of FCT Water Board, Dan Salka Audu, while speaking to LEADERSHIP concerning the shortage of water in the FCT, explained that during the rainy season the pressure of the water supply is usually very high, while it reduces during the dry season.

He said that the board is doing what it can to improve on the water supply in the affected areas, by requesting for water from the Gurara dam to boost the water supply in Usuma dam, which they have never done before in December.

Audu said that presently they do not have enough water in the dam, that for them to meet the demand of water supply in the FCT, they are rationing water supply, which results in some days one area will have it, while the other days other areas will have it.  

“We have low pressure, which is caused by so many factors. It is normal, particularly this season. We are in a dry season. During the rainy season, our dams are full to capacity. But during the dry season, the level of water in our dams reduces.

“The Abuja water system was designed to be transported through gravity from lower Usuma dam which is on a hill. When the water is full, the pressure is more, and when the water is reducing, the pressure will also reduce. 

“We have never requested for water from the Gurara dam in December, because the rainy season just ended last month. But the level of water in our dam is actually going down very fast.

“It may not be unconnected with climate change, I want to believe that it is part of it. Because, we have never asked for water before from Gurara dam in December,” he said.

He said that normally, they asked for water from Gurara dam towards the end of January and February when the dry season is at its peak, but not in December.

“Today, fresh water was transported from Gurara dam in Kaduna State to boost water level of our Usuma dam. I want to assure you that by the time the water level is boosted, the pressure of the water supply will be improved and the issue of water shortage will be over,” he said.