The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the water supply disruption in Abuja city and some satellite towns is due to the ongoing major rehabilitation of two treatment plants.
Wike disclosed this in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Sunday.
He said the treatment plants were among the four facilities responsible for producing and supplying water to FCT residents.
The minister said that due to the ongoing rehabilitation of the plants, water supply from the two functioning treatment plants would be rationed for two weeks.
“What is being experienced is a partial and not a total shutdown of the entire water supply to the residents of FCT, as two of the water treatment plants are still in operation.
“SCC Nigeria Ltd. is, however, working 24/7 to ensure the rehabilitation is concluded before the scheduled time.
“Residents are, therefore, urged to store enough water to cater to their needs during this period, as supply will be rationed,” he said.
Wike appealed to the residents to cooperate with the FCT Administration, assuring them that the rehabilitation, when completed, would improve the FCT’s water supply.
However, he said that the two plants undergoing rehabilitation would be temporarily powered to supply water to residents during Sallah celebrations.
“The FCT Water Board operates four water treatment plants of 30,000m3/hour, which are divided into Phases 1, 2, 3, and 4.
“Due to the inefficiency of the plants, which are currently producing below their installed capacity, a contract was awarded for their rehabilitation to Messrs SCC Nigeria Ltd.
“The rehabilitation works have reached an advanced stage on Phases 1 and 2, where the electro-mechanical equipment, the prime mover of the treatment plants, is to be replaced and reinstalled.
“This warranted a total shutdown of the two plants, which are interconnected. However, phases 3 and 4 water treatment plants are operational but won’t sustain, meet, or cater to the populace’s demands,” he said.
Wike said that the Water Board had made a rationing timetable by alternating between lines 1 and 2 of the distribution network.
According to him, this will minimise the adverse effects of inadequate water supply to FCT residents.
rs to support cancer survivors and promote cancer research in Nigeria.
The society’s president, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, commemorating National Cancer Survivors’ Day.
Omonisi said that the society’s National Executive Council (NEC) had recently approved the establishment of the NCS National Cancer Intervention Fund (NCS-NCIF), which will be launched in July.
According to him, an independent governing council chaired by Dr. Gafar Alawode, a global health financial expert.
Other appointees include Dr. Uchechukwu Nwokwu, Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme, who will serve as Vice-Chairman and two cancer survivors, Ms. Tinu Lawal and Ms. Chioma Ikejiani, who will represent the interests of survivors on the council.
Highlighting the significance of the day, Omonisi said June 1 is observed globally to celebrate cancer survivors, connect with them, and assess various survivorship programmes.
“Today, I honour all cancer survivors in Nigeria, their families, and their caregivers. We must celebrate those who have successfully gone through a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“Cancer survivorship is about helping people lead full and healthy lives after a cancer diagnosis. May the good Lord grant all cancer survivors more strength, long life, and a brighter, healthier future.”
He described cancer survivors and their families as vital partners in oncology, adding that they form one of the key pillars of society’s strategic agenda.
He said the NCS had begun fully incorporating survivors into its governance structure to reinforce this.
As part of this effort, the NEC also approved the creation of the Nigerian Coalition for Cancer Survivors (NCCS), an arm of the NCS that will serve as the collective voice of cancer survivors in the country.
In addition, he announced plans to launch the “Employ Cancer Survivors” initiative to tackle unemployment among survivors.
While reiterating the society’s commitment to prioritising survivor-related issues, Omonisi noted that the NCS was engaging the Federal Government on the high cost and unavailability of critical cancer medications in the country.
“We are engaging NICRAT on the National Cancer Health Fund (NCHF), and we are grateful to the Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment for his commitment to ensuring the speedy disbursement of the fund to all beneficiaries,” he added.
National Cancer Survivors Day is set aside to celebrate and honor the strength and resilience of cancer survivors.
The aim is to recognise and celebrate the milestones of cancer survivors, raise awareness about cancer survivorship, support vital cancer services, and create a sense of community among survivors, families, and care teams.