Abuja: Residents of Wuse Zone 6 District in the FCT have raised concern over broken sewer lines, overflowing refuse, and persistent leakages from water pipes across several streets. They warned that these issues could worsen pollution and pose serious health hazards.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, damaged pipelines and blocked drains have created stagnant pools of foul-smelling water, contaminating the environment. The affected streets include Mabondo Street by Mbabane, Asmara Street by Glo Mast, Lusaka Street, Rabat Street near the police post, and Cotonou Crescent. Some residents expressed that the situation had persisted for months despite repeated complaints to relevant authorities.
Mr. Chukwuma Nwafor, a resident, noted that the leakages disrupted business and damaged access roads. Mrs. Halima Suleiman, another resident, mentioned that the stagnant water had become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, raising fears of malaria and water-borne diseases. Mr. Olusola Matthew, a retired civil servant, described the situation as shameful and called for stronger accountability, urging residents to dispose of refuse responsibly.
The FCT Water Board is responsible for water supply infrastructure, while the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) oversees sanitation. However, Abuja faces water challenges linked to aging pipelines, weak maintenance culture, and rapid urbanization. Experts note that much of the piping network in central districts such as Wuse, Garki, and Maitama has suffered repeated bursts from corrosion, pressure, and overuse.
Dr. Amina Danjuma, a water resources consultant, explained that leakages drive high levels of non-revenue water, with Abuja losing nearly 38 percent of its treated water to leakages, illegal connections, and poor metering. Dr. Ibrahim Oladipo of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital warned of heightened risks of cholera and diarrhoeal outbreaks due to contaminated water.
Abuja currently produces about 210 million liters of water daily, against an estimated demand of more than 350 million liters. The Director-General of the AEPB, Mr. Osilama Braimah, attributed refuse heap problems to informal settlements, noting that indiscriminate dumping of waste contributes to sewer blockages and infrastructure damage.
Public health experts argue that poor coordination between the FCT Water Board and sanitation authorities worsens hazards. Civil society groups have called for the Abuja Master Plan on water and sanitation to be updated, urging investment in modern water facilities to match the city’s growth. According to the WHO-UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme, Nigeria needs to quadruple its sanitation coverage to meet the 2030 SDGs for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) needs.