Enugu govt says water scarcity will soon be history

Enugu State government says it is tackling the issue of water challenge, adding that water scarcity will soon be a thing of the past.

Special assistant on Water Resources to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Anthony Dubem Onyia said the present administration is doing a lot, with the lean resources at its disposal, to address the issue of water in the Enugu metropolis.

He said that some areas in Enugu metropolis, such as Iva Valley, GRA, New Haven, Ogui/Asata, Uwani, parts of Achara Layout, Abakpa Nike, Trans Ekulu, Independence Layout and Thinkers Corner, enjoy potable water supply.

Onyia, however, reassured residents in other areas that they will soon enjoy an adequate potable water supply.

He explained further that the state government has commenced comprehensive rehabilitation of the 9th Mile Crash Programme, with solar-powered boreholes to ensure adequate supply of potable water from Oji River, Ajali and Iva Water schemes to Enugu metropolis.

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Onyia revealed that a contract of N600 million was recently awarded to FordMarx Nigeria Limited, for the rehabilitation of the 9th Mile Crash Programme, adding that the company has mobilized to the site.

According to him, the contract which will be solar-powered, to address the peculiar challenges of power failure, will boost the volume of water being reticulated from the ageing water schemes to the Enugu metropolis.

He said that the state government has commenced the bid opening and evaluation meeting for the new Okwojo Ngwo boreholes augmentation to Enugu metropolis.

The Okwojo Ngwo boreholes augmentation to Enugu metropolis, which is a network of 10 solar-powered boreholes, is a newly conceived design that will help boost water production for the newly awarded 9th Mile Crash Programme.

“It will equally augment the existing water schemes in order to effectively manage and meet the demand of the growing population of Enugu metropolis”, he said.

Onyia pointed out that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration, in its determination to address the issue of water in the state, recently constituted the Board of Enugu State Water Corporation, headed by a foremost consultant in the water industry and the first Managing Director of the corporation, Engr. Innocent O. Diyoke, to vigorously drive the state government’s sustained programmes towards ensuring an adequate supply of potable water in the state.

He further disclosed that the state government, in February 2021, advertised for the post of Managing Director of the State Water Corporation Board, to join the team for effective implementation of its agenda in the sector.

He further explained that the state government has also committed funds to the actualization of FG Adada Dam Water Project in Nsukka, to guarantee its speedy actualization, stressing that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration is not relenting in its bid to increase the sources of potable water supply and to continue to maintain existing facilities.