The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has attributed the ongoing water shortage in parts of Abuja to a pipe damaged by a private developer.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja after inspecting some ongoing projects, Mr Wike said the FCT administration was working urgently to restore supply to affected areas.
He explained that upon receiving reports of the disruption, he was informed that a major pipe serving the FCT water project had been broken during private development works.
“Somebody who is carrying out a private development damaged that pipe, and the water board is working tirelessly to make sure that the pipe is put back for use,” the minister told journalists.
Mr Wike said he would visit the site on Thursday to assess the extent of the damage and determine whether the developer should face sanctions.
“If it means that I have to shut down the project, I will shut it down, because you cannot suffer the public while freely going about developing your own property,” he said.
He assured residents that the FCT Water Board was working seriously to rectify the fault and appealed for patience.
“It is not our fault; it is the fault of a private developer. But we have no excuse not to put it back. That is what we are doing now,” Mr Wike added.
