Abuja Water Crisis Raises Sustainability and CSR Concerns Over Urban Water Governance and Climate Resilient Infrastructure

The worsening scarcity of potable water in parts of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has sparked renewed concerns about sustainability, public sector responsibility, and the role of corporate and institutional accountability in essential service delivery. Recent warnings by water resources expert Aliyu H. Abubakar highlight deep structural and governance challenges affecting Abuja’s water dams and treatment infrastructure issues that go beyond short-term shortages to touch on long-term sustainable development goals.

Access to clean and safe water is a cornerstone of social sustainability and a central target under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6). Yet, the situation unfolding in Abuja suggests that this critical obligation is under strain. According to Abubakar, key water treatment plants serving the FCT are at risk of shutting down due to shortages of essential treatment chemicals, undermining the ability of the FCT Water Board to process raw water into potable supply.

One of the most pressing challenges identified is the drastic reduction in raw water transfer from the Gurara Dam to the Lower Usuma Dam in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council. What was previously a monthly transfer has reportedly fallen to once a year, with no transfer taking place since October 2025. As a result, the Lower Usuma Dam is operating at only about half of its installed capacity, limiting the volume of water available for treatment and distribution across the capital.
From a sustainability standpoint, this breakdown in water resource management reflects systemic inefficiencies and weak inter-agency coordination. Reliable water transfer infrastructure is essential for climate resilience, urban growth, and population health in a rapidly expanding city like Abuja. Any disruption not only affects households but also hospitals, schools, businesses, and public institutions that depend on consistent water supply.

The situation is further complicated by the reported diversion of water meant for treatment plants by a private company, reducing processing capacity and raising serious CSR and regulatory concerns. Responsible water stewardship requires that both public and private actors respect allocation rules and prioritise public interest, especially when dealing with scarce and essential natural resources.

Energy supply challenges have also emerged as a critical factor. The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company’s (AEDC) disconnection of power to the Lower Usuma Dam over unpaid utility bills has plunged the facility into darkness for the first time, according to the expert. The ripple effects have been severe, forcing the FCT Water Board to rely on diesel-powered generators that are both inefficient and environmentally unsustainable.

With one turbine already damaged, water production has reportedly dropped to below 40 percent.
This reliance on diesel not only increases operational costs but also contradicts environmental sustainability and climate goals. It highlights the urgent need for integrated planning between water and energy systems, as well as the adoption of cleaner, more resilient power solutions for critical infrastructure.

Beyond water facilities, the reported disconnection of electricity to essential services such as Bwari General Hospital underscores the broader social risks of infrastructure and governance failures. In CSR terms, access to water and power is not merely a commercial or administrative issue, it is a social responsibility with direct implications for public health, equity, and quality of life.