The current shortage of water in some areas of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been blamed on climate change which is affecting the increase of water in lower Usuma Dam.
This explanation comes from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Water Board as water scarcity continues to hit hard on residents of areas like Gwarinpa, Maitama, and Asokoro, among others in the nation’s capital.
Acting General Manager of FCT Water Board, Dan Salka Audu, who spoke on the development, explained that during the rainy season the pressure of the water supply is usually very high, while it reduces during the dry season.
However, he assured that the board is already working round the clock to improve the water supply in the affected areas, adding that water is specifically being channeled from the Gurara Dam to boost the water supply in Usuma Dam.
Noting that such arrangement have never undertaken in December, Audu said presently they do not have adequate water in Usuma Dam, and the available option to meet the demand of water supply across the FCT is having to ration the supply in a manner that some areas would be serviced on particular days, while other areas would also have their turn on specific days during the week.
The Water Board Chief told Leadership newspaper that; “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”.
On the request to have water channeled from Gurara Dam, the General Manager said normally, such arrangements are made towards the end of January and February when the dry season is at its peak, but not in December.
According to him; “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”.
