By Mary Tom
Water remains an essential element in the health of people and the development of the society in all ramifications of human existence.
This is why March 22 every year is set aside by the United Nations Organisation (UNO), to mark the World Water Day,with the 2020 theme:” Water and Climate Change.” The essence is to demonstrate the importance of this crucial natural resource to man his environment, especially the eco system.
The significance of this year’s theme of the annual event is that, by adapting to the effect of climate change, through efficient management of water, more life will be protected and good health assured among other advantages.
In this respect therefore, the experience of most residents of the FCT, in terms of supply of portable water in FCT, since the assumption of Mal Muhammad Musa Bello as the honourable Minister FCT is that the minister has justified the confidence reposed on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This is based on the fact that if there is one fact the nation’s capital will not shy away from, it is that no state in Nigeria is enjoying stable and uninterrupted supply of water like residents of the FCT. It is not that the territory doubles as Nigerian capital, but the calibre human elements managing its resources to the fullest advantage of the people living in the territory.
This is largely due to the unrelenting effort of the present administration in the FCT under the able leadership of the Honourable Minister of the territory and his team of capable lieutenants.
This the minister does with managerial dexterity to ensure that taps run and residents get potable water as and when due.
Among his capable lieutenants in cheering development is the General Manager FCT water board, Engr. Aliyu Ahmed Nahuce.
Nahuce, is a prudent manager, technocrat and professional, with almost three decades experience is a man to beat when it comes in water engineering and management sector of the economy.
Empirical evidence marks Nahuche as a General manager who has excelled in the management and distribution of portable water in FCT due to the encouragement and support he received from his boss,the minister of the FCT.
Analysts have, therefore, rated the achievement of Nahuche’s managerial skill in FCT water board very high as well as rating the board as the most efficient and effective government agency in the FCT.
Their rating is based on the fact that every household connected to the water supply can testify to having uninterrupted water supply because of the administrative and managerial effectiveness and efficiency of Nahuche,his managerial skills and dedication to service.
The FCT Water Board, under the leadership of Nahuche, has also been lauded for the high degree of professionalism and discipline members of staff in the board in spite challenges militating against the desired funding of the all important establishment.
His strive for excellence has further demonstrated his commitment to meeting international standards.
With dogged determination to serve the residents to the best of ability, the general manger has restored water supply to Asokoro extension out of supply for more than six years.
The administrator per excellent had also introduced mobile application for meter reading at site to give meter readers enough opportunity to read the meters thereafter send the bills to the server at Billing unit.
Nahuhe is also credited to have fenced FCT Water Board properties, including the distribution of water tanks, Burster stations and many other equipment to secure the assets of the organisation.
As if this is not enough, he introduced the sluice valve Karu/Nyanya line at Dantata bolster station to ensure improved strategy for effective isolation of valves to improve water supply.
More so, Nahuche’s administration saw to the introduction of non-revenue water programme in the storage tanks and the distribution network, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The infatigable Nahuche led the team of engineers that repaired the bottom outlet of Lower Usuma Dam, which has been faulty since 1996 and reintroduced pre-chlorination in the water treatment process which was abandoned for many years.
He created NiBox Cash Terminal, deployed at the Customer Care Unit and Area offices for the collection of customers’ payments. This positive development has reduced the difficulty being faced by customers and improved the transparency of the board.
He also secured installation of Solar panels at Ultrasonic Meter’s base at Lower Usuma Dam Water works and Distribution Tanks were Zonal Ultrasonic Meter’s were placed, this to assist in meter reading even when power supply is off
With these achievements recorded by this humble yet high dedicated official, it is apt to urge other state managers of water boards to tap from his knowledge, efficiency and effectiveness of their board for maximum benefit to the public.
Bilal Galadima is a public affairs analyst base in Abuja
