Water scarcity hits Abuja as FCT minister refuses to approve money for materials

September 29, 2025

Residents of many residential areas of the Federal Capital Territory have been suffering severe water scarcity in the last five days as taps have run dry in their homes. Sources at FCT Water Board at Area 3, Garki, say some of the storage tanks that serve the metropolis have been depleted of water and so some residential areas have not had water in the last few days. Over 500,000 residents might be affected. ‘’The problem is that we have sent a request to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for approval of money to purchase water treatment chemicals, but we have not received approval. The Minister requires all files to be sent to his office for approval. We are still waiting for the approval’’, a source told this reporter. The affected areas are Gudu, Durumi, Prince and Princess Estate, Games Village, Lugbe, Apo, Gwarimpa and many others.

This morning residents of many residential estates were seen with buckets moving from around looking for where to fetch water. Such a prolonged water shortage is rare in the FCT.

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An Assistant Director at the FCT Water Board told this reporter that the Minister should delegate responsibilities in order to make his work lighter “He should not be the only one treating all the files and giving approvals to all the requests from all the Secretariat, Departments and Agencies in Abuja when he has qualified technocrats working with him in the FCTA administration”, he said.

Etim Etim
Etim Etim
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ETIM ETIM is a journalist, banker and author. He has been a member of the Editorial Board of The Guardian, a Regional Manager in Access Bank and is currently a Columnist in Prime Business Africa, The Cable and Businessday newspapers.

He is also the Chief Executive of Stein Meyer Communications, a major media consultancy and the author of the best-selling book, "Akwa Ibom Heroes: Inside Story of the Fight for Abrogation of Onshore-Offshore Oil Dichotomy" and co-author of another book, "Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of an Innovative Leader".

Etim Etim

ETIM ETIM is a journalist, banker and author. He has been a member of the Editorial Board of The Guardian, a Regional Manager in Access Bank and is currently a Columnist in Prime Business Africa, The Cable and Businessday newspapers.

He is also the Chief Executive of Stein Meyer Communications, a major media consultancy and the author of the best-selling book, "Akwa Ibom Heroes: Inside Story of the Fight for Abrogation of Onshore-Offshore Oil Dichotomy" and co-author of another book, "Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of an Innovative Leader".

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