For implementing AfWAs AfriCap program component 3, which focuses on development of the capacity of drinking water laboratories through peer-to-peer partnership, an exploratory mission to assess water quality control activity of the three laboratories of FCT Water Board (FCTWB city laboratory located at the board’s headquarters office for the ground well water analysis and the two others laboratories located at the Usuma Dam identified as the Lower Usuma Dam (LUD) Laboratory1 and Lower Usuma Dam (LUD) laboratory 2) was held from 13th to 17th November, 2017 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The exploratory mission was undertaken by team of assessors comprising two (2) designated AfWA assessors, Margaret Macaulay and Mark Ayertry from Ghana Water Company Limited and two (2) support experts (Assessors Advisors), Mark Rodgers and Julius Enriquez from USEPA and two (2) Audit Observers from AfWA, Gilles Djagoun (AfriCap Program Coordinator) and Francis Umemezia (AfWA, Focal point in Nigeria).

The assessment covered areas of the laboratories goals and aspirations, policies, processes of monitoring results and resources needed to implement and maintain the Laboratory. The assessment included also visits to the water source (Dam), water treatment works, checks on the sampling and analytical methods used, and interactive session with consumers’ league (Public Tap Association) on water quality delivery.

At the end of the mission the audit findings highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the utility performance, and provided lessons for improvement in the FCTWB laboratory quality management. The staff through the voice of the Ag. Director, Eng. A A Nahuche expressed great delight and positively appreciated the exchanges during the mission to improve their performance.