Why govt cannot provide water free for residents –FCT Water Board

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Water Board has said that increase in population has made it impossible for government to provide free water to all residents.

Mr Michael Adebayo, director of the board, who gave the reason in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, added that water was no longer a free social service but a capital intensive venture which required the financial commitment of consumers.

He said that the board was constantly challenged by the attitude of residents, who were usually reluctant to pay their water bills and advised them to pay promptly.

“Residents should ensure that they pay their bills promptly so that we can continue to sustain the essential service of supplying them with potable water,” he said.

Adebayo said that the completion and commissioning of phases 3 and 4 of the FCT water treatment plants would further boost water supply in areas where supply had been problematic.

According to him, the board has an Urban Water Monitoring Unit which monitors the quality of water at the level of consumption to ensure that it is germ free.

“Completion of phases 3 and 4 of our treatment plant has helped improve pressure of water supply to hilly areas like Maitama, where supply had been problematic. Our urban monitoring unit ensures that the water at the level of consumption is, not only germ free, but also capable of fighting disease.

“We equally have a department of rural water supply which collaborates with the Satellite Towns Development Agency to ensure that satellite towns enjoy the same quality supply as the city centre,’’ the director said. ( NAN)