The recurring water shortages in the Enugu urban has become somewhat an embarrassing situation to successive governments in Enugu State. Perhaps, no government have committed so much resources to end the menace of water shortage in the metropolis than the administration of Gov.Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. But it appears that the more efforts are made in this regard, issues beyond one’s control have largely made nonsense of the resources being committed to end water scarcity once for all. Experts have often attributed the scarcity of water in Enugu despite government’s efforts as a function of the topography of the city and with a lot of coal deposits in the underbelly of the soil which impedes water from being readily available to the ground surface.
Enugu metropolis was some months back hit by another round of water crises. On a close enquiry, one discovered that some water machines belonging to the state water corporation had malfunctioned. Specifically, out of the six pumping machines at Ajali operating site of the corporation, only two is working. This created scarcity of water for those at Enugu metropolis. Irked by this unfortunate development, Gov Ugwuanyi promptly approved the release of required funds for immediate repairs of the pumping machines. He equally directed the management of water corporation to embark on a turn around maintenance of all their machines. Subsequently, they should embark on regular preventive maintenance to ensure that such incidence does not happen again.
To buttress his administration’s resolve to end water crisis in the state, Gov Ugwuanyi partnered with international organisations to find a permanent solution to water scarcity in Enugu metropolis. A grant of about $50m is being packaged for water projects in Enugu State. When this is put into use, water scarcity will be a thing of the past in Enugu Metropolis. All areas in Enugu will have steady water supply from Enugu State Water Corporation. Areas like Coal camp, Uwani, Achara layout, New Haven, Garriki, Thinker’s Corner, Iva Valley, Trans Ekulu, Idaw River, Abakpa, Emene, Ugwuaji, Akwuke, Meniru, Topland, etc will all have portable water in abundance as against what they have now. The project will affect many rural communities in the state.
The residents are happy with such development and are thankful to the governor for such a humane gesture.
Conversely, tanker drivers and water vendors are happy with the scarcity. I’m certain that they must be praising God that a big market has been created for them by the fact of the water scarcity in Enugu metropolis. A full tanker of water that usually sells for N10,000 goes for about N18,000 now. 500 gallon capacity tank of water that usually sells for N3,500 now sells for N5,500.
The people have suffered under the scarcity period and are grateful that rescue has come their way. The managing director of Enugu State Water Corporation Engr. Nnaemeka Okwor promised that he will ensure steady supply of water in Enugu Urban.
It is surprising that most villages in Enugu State do not experience water scarcity again. This is because this administration knows the importance of water and have made sure that there is borehole in every village in Enugu State. Some villages have more than one, some have both the public and also private suppliers. This has eased their life a great deal. Gone are the days when one will spend a whole day looking for water in dry season in villages. Today, you don’t even spend up to 20 minutes before getting water. Gov Ugwuanyi have actually delivered in terms of water supply in rural areas.
Such feat will want to be replicated in urban areas and is achievable. With his current determination and support he is getting, it will be achieved. We thank God for giving us such a caring governor and is happy to say that Enugu State is in the hand of God.
Bibian Anekwe news added: “The best leaders have a high consideration factor. They really care about their people.”Â
Written by
Leonard Ugwu .
