By Stanley Onyekwere
The FCT Water Board has disclosed that it made a total sum of N3,055, 685,882.42 as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) within eleven months (from January to November 2023).
According to the Board, the figure, is an improved IGR from the N2,477,885,341.77 it made in the year 2022.
Making this disclosure yesterday during its end of the year briefing in Abuja, Acting General Manager of Water Board, Mr. Daniel Audu Salka, said as at today, its monthly IGR is N300 plus million, which is a total departure from the N200 plus million for the year 2022.
Salka, added that the main sources of revenue to the Board, are the sales of water, which constitutes about 95% of its revenue; lifting points, water connections, water analysis, tender fee and prepaid.
He reiterated its resolve to keep supplying quality water for residents to guard against water borne diseases in the territory.
He also revealed the Board was recently awarded by the United Kingdom Occupational Safety and Health Association, Nigeria Region.
He said major Embassies and High Commissions in Nigeria connected to FCT Water Board is a testament that the quality of water produces by the Board meets World Health Organization and International standards.
While explaining that the Water Board has 4 treatment plants with the capacity to produce 30,000m3 per hour for distribution to customers in phases 1,2 and 3, said 5 drums of water are sold to residents at #110 only, while the same quantity is sold at #300 to commercial customers.
The Acting General Manager however warned residents against illegal connection, vandalism of water facilities to prevent excessive non- revenue water.
Speaking on it plans to improve service in the coming years, Mr. Salka, said the Board would Look outwards to invest more in maintenance, embark on gradual replacement of the aged pipes that are weak and prone to bursting, engaged PPP to increase capacity and efficiency and adopt relevant technology.
He however noted that technology is key for any water utility to experience efficiency, adding that technologies for water treatments, distribution and monitoring to improve efficiency and reduce water loss.
The GM assured that the Board would embark on aggressive sensitization of residents on the need for residents to own the government facility to guard against vandalism. to avoid being penalized.
He warned that the administration has raised two task forces to check mate the illegal connections syndrome and to invoke the Act of the Board to arrest defaulters.
On his part, the HOD, Distribution of the Board, Engr. Akande Akinwunmi Olalere, who noted that the facilities in FCT were overstretched due to influx of people orchestrated by insurgency, hinted that Abuja master plan is being reviewed to address emerging issues.
According to him,the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) are in charge of all infrastructures development in the FCT, while Board is only to supply the water with the available infrastructure.
