Enugu State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Aka Eze Aka, says water scarcity in Enugu State is over as Governor Peter Mbah is set to inaugurate twenty-four- hour 9th Mile Water Production in Enugu.
Aka, who was speaking on a radio programme on in Enugu, said Enugu had started providing twice the water need of the people, stressing that government water tankers would cease to operate.
According to the Commissioner, “His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, will on Saturday this week inaugurate the water production “and the state now had capacity to generate 120 million cubic litres of water enough for its people,” he said.
The perennial water problem in Enugu State had become a major source of worry for years.
The water shortage was reported to be topography problem, sabotage and soil texture of the state. It was in view of this that Peter Mbah during his campaign promised to end water scarcity in the state within 180 days of his administration.
He said that he understood the pain the people were facing, especially the business community and investors, as a result of lack of water, saying that the design he had on ground would give them reasons to be proud of the state.
He said he had already done a robust analysis of the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors and ascertained the challenges facing water reticulation in the state, vowing to bring it to an end within 180 days of his government.
When on assumption of office Governor Mbah appointed a foreigner, Dr. Andreas Gebauer as the General Manager of the Enugu State Water Corporation which attracted criticisms and reactions as some condemned the appointment and others supported the Governors decision to be allowed to pick whoever will give him results irrespective of tribe or religion as they believed that Mbah must have done his homework and due diligence before settling for the foreigner with outstanding.
A few days to180 days, water is running in Enugu
Aka said, “This is what no government had achieved in Nigeria, especially, in the southeast region”.
Aka added, “Before now, Enugu was operating at 45 per cent capacity, there was basically no need for storage as the state barely have enough water to last all through the year, but today, it is a different story as the state can boast of water supply to every part of the state.
“Water galleries had been built for those who may not have access to water due to structural problems,” he said. “To surmount all issues that were likely to jeopardize efforts geared towards providing and sustaining the supply of portable water, the Commissioner, said the state was set to build 80 million cubic liters capacity as buffer to prevent failure or break down of any pump.
“Enugu is now providing twice the water need of its people and the pressure is so high and needs to be controlled.
Peter Mbah, Governor Of Enugu State
“Those who complain they are yet to get water should ask well, water is in Enugu city,” he said With flowing of tap water in some part of Enugu metropolisis, residents have described Governor Mbah as an action Governor who has kept to his campaign promise.
A resident of New Heaven Area in Enugu, Mrs Kelechi Ani who spoke with our correspondent with excitement said they now have water in their area.
She said ” When I saw the water gulping out from our tap last week, it was like a dream as I screamed with joy because we have not experience this in a long time.
“We had water twice in my area last week and was told they were still working on it because once they are done, the water will be running daily, all thanks to our action Governor, Peter Mbah for alleviating our sufferings”.
Also, Chekwube Okafor who lives behind Otigba Garden said the force with which the water gushed out from the tap in their area was amazing
“We were all excited to witness another new dawn of availability of water in Enugu. Immediately the water started running at Otigba Junction, people gathered and was filming it with their phones because it was like a miracle, we commend the Governor for all his efforts,” he said Also, Kingsley Ugwuona,Technical Assistant (TA)to Commissioner for Information and Communication said “today Governor Peter Mbah led government has rehabilitated the 9th Mile, and Oji River Schemes, all in a bid to ensure adequate supply of portable water to the people, who have over the years been traumatised by perennial water scarcity, especially during the dry season”
According to him, the government has equally procured and installed new pipes, while rusted, old and vandalised pumps have been replaced.
He said “The state has happily since the start of the reformative agenda by Governor Mbah in the water sector in the last six months, progressively migrated from less than two million cubic litres capacity to sixty million cubic litres of water supply daily despite the challenges confronting the efforts towards meeting the set target.
This record is the first of its kind in Enugu state for decades.
“The impact is already being felt across the state with testimonies of improved water supply in some areas, that before now suffer absolutely lack of water supply.
“This landmark success came even before 25 November, 2023 when the 180 days deadline is expected to elapse.
“It will not be an exaggeration to say that Ndi Enugu should expect a 24/7 inflow of water to their homes and environs in a couple of hours and days.
“In fact, Governor Mbah in one of his outings shortly after being sworn-in said that there was no reason in the 21st century why the people and residents of the state should not turn on their taps and get clean water.
“Today, that feat that seemed impossible is being achieved through a meticulous and well set out programme.
“He has also assured the people that, aside from the state’s urban areas, the government was working assiduously to get water across the rural communities.
“Dr. Mbah has consistently maintained that his administration would be government unusual, and with his disruptive governance mantra, he is gradually, disruptively transforming the state for the comfort of the people,” he said
