Metro

By Stanley Onyekwere

There are strong indications that population surge into Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), may have deflected potable water distribution across the Territory, following quadrupling of the demand for its consumption.

According to the authorities of the FCT Water Board the phase one of the Abuja Water Plan designed to cater for 1.1 million people, is currently serving over 4million residents.

The General Manager of the FCT Water Board, Engr. Tauheed Amusan, made the disclosure to journalists during its end of year briefing, in Abuja.

Amusan said, “The whole water plan was designed to cater for three million people but unfortunately we are catering for four million people. What we have

Retirees assured of prompt pension services

By Stanley Onyekwere

Retired and retiring officers of the FCTA and six Area Councils of the nation’s capital city have been reassured of access to prompt pension service delivery in the Territory.

According to FCT Administration that gave this assurance, the commitment to its realisation is being strengthened by the development of the Operational Manual by the Federal Area Council Service Pension Board (FCT- ACSPB).

FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, made the assertion at the official launch of the manual, at the 5th ACSPB Pension management system retreat, with the Theme: Operational Manual: An Administrative tool for efficient pension delivery, organised by FCT ACSPB and partners (PENCOM, Pension fund administrators (PFAs), underwriters and brokers.

He said FCT Administration places high premium on welfare of retiring officers, and will continue to emphasize the importance of prompt pension service delivery.

Adesola, who represented the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, noted that the launch of the Operational Manual will enable the FCT Administration galvanize staff of all Agencies under the FCTA, and in particular the Pension Board towards delivering efficient pension service to residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

According to him, in its pursuit of efficient pension service delivery, the FCT Administration has been consistent in remitting the 2.5% FCTA contribution to the Board to sustain payments to our revered Senior Citizen.

Population explosion deflecting Abuja Water distribution -Official claims

now, is less than 50 percent, and is less than stage one.

“Stage one includes completing the four treatment tanks, we have already constructed, doing six tanks which we have already done four, two are ongoing, tank one and six, and the trunk to evacuate to phase 3 and 4.

“When you do all that, we will have water available to 1.5 million people, what we have now can be estimated to cater for 1.1 million people”.

He also disclosed that an a whopping 60percent of water produced by the FCT Water Board are lost to leakages and illegal connections to its water trunk.

He however, classified the leakages, as non revenue water, which amounts to N350 million to N400 million annually.

According to him: “We have the capacity of producing 30,000 cubic tonnes per hour, because we can not compile, we just push 15-16 million. If you look at the cost of 16,000 MT of water, is about N750 million, but what do we get in revenue? We get about N250 million, which is a loss of about 60percent.

“It is called non revenue water. That is water that is not accounted for. It include what vandals take and other sharp practices which is about 60percent of what is lost in Abuja. Non revenue water includes leakages, which is global phenomenon. It is allowed between 10 to 20 million, but for us in Abuja it is over that”.

He further explained that when completed, the Greater Abuja Water Project will service 50 District of the FCT to meet the water needs of residents

“The Abuja master plan actually have what we call loops, there are eight loops envisaged, of the eight loops, since the inception of Abuja, only two has been completed, and the two are phase 1 and phase 2 and phase 3 don’t have reticulation system, which is the loop, it is this loop that has been awarded for what we tank two and tank five and tank one and tank six, the original trunk you have on ground is three and four.

“Whatever supply you have in phase 2 and phase 3 is an arrangement from loops three and 4, the whole ideal now is execute loops 2, 5, one and 6, when you do that you would have been able to capture about 50 districts that have their home designated reticulation system”, he stressed.

From left;FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello receiving the Chief of Jiwa, Alh. Musa Idris during the 2022 Jiwa Annual Cultural Festival, yesterday in Jiwa, Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

FCTA vows to eradicate illiteracy in rural areas

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has promised to stop at nothing in eradicating illiteracy in all the rural areas.

FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola gave the assurance during the 2022 end of the year fiesta organised by FCT Department of Mass Education in Karu.

Adesola explained that the department, which is saddled with the responsibility of making sure that people at all levels know how to read and write will always be supported to do more.

Represented at the event by Faseyi Nathaniel, the Permanent Secretary commended the efforts of the current director of the Department, Titilayo Alayande for her innovations that had repositioned all the centres across the Six Area Councils.

He noted that a better future could only be achieved when people get the requisite knowledge, which he said FCT Department of Mass Education was driving the programme well.

“The FCT Administration appreciates the diligent work of the current director, FCT Department of Mass Education, Titilayo Alayande.

“Teachers are moulder of people especially future leaders, therefore they should be given the desired opportunity to succeed, the medical doctors, engineers, lawyers and other professionals in the society are built by teachers, which is a fact that must be acknowledged.

“We are going to make sure illiteracy is eradicated at all levels in the Federal Capital Territory, by doing so it will impact positively on the residents”, he stressed

Earlier in her remarks, the Director FCT Department of Mass Education, Titilayo Alayande, disclosed that the department had expanded it scope of teaching and learning to Fulani communities, where their children are learning well.

She added that more residents are gaining from vocational trainings that will impact on their lives, not only to know how to read and write.

“We have taken teaching and learning beyond the normal way of knowing how to read and write, our facilitators ( teachers) teach learners skill as well”, she said