Residents of Ebonyi State are currently facing a severe water shortage following the withdrawal of sachet water distribution services, triggered by complaints of excessive and unregulated taxation by revenue agents.
Findings reveal that the cost of sachet water, popularly known as “pure water,” has risen sharply, with prices now ranging between ₦550 and ₦700 per bag depending on the brand. This spike has further deepened the economic hardship experienced by households across the state.
The situation is aggravated by the persistent lack of public water supply, leaving many communities without access to safe and affordable drinking water.
Speaking on the development, a union representative, Emmanuel Nwibo, accused revenue collectors of harassment, intimidation, and physical assault on drivers transporting sachet water into the state. He disclosed that the taxation imposed on distributors has increased drastically from ₦1,400 to ₦8,500.
According to him, the state government may not be fully aware of the activities of these revenue agents. “Our members are constantly harassed and, in some cases, assaulted while trying to deliver water. The tax burden has become unbearable,” he said.
Nwibo further explained that the union had made several attempts to notify relevant authorities, including the State Board of Internal Revenue and ministries responsible for markets and transportation, but no concrete action has been taken.
“We have written multiple letters since last year and received acknowledgements, yet officials claim no formal complaints were made,” he added.
He clarified that the withdrawal of services is not a strike action but a necessary step taken to ensure the safety of their drivers. “We are not protesting; we have simply suspended operations in Ebonyi because the environment has become too hostile,” he stated.
Describing the system as chaotic, Nwibo alleged that tax collection lacks transparency and standardization. “Revenue agents operate arbitrarily, stopping vehicles on the road and issuing receipts without any reference to approved rates,” he said.
He called on the Ebonyi State Government to urgently intervene and regulate the activities of revenue collectors to restore normal water supply.
The impact of the disruption is already evident in Abakaliki, the state capital, where residents, businesses, and public institutions are struggling to access clean water. Reports indicate that the Abakaliki Correctional Centre has gone several days without a functional water supply.
In response, the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Chinedu Nkah, assured residents that efforts are ongoing to address the crisis. He noted that the government is working towards improving water availability and promised visible results soon.
Attempts to get official comments from the State Internal Revenue Service were unsuccessful, as key officials did not respond to inquiries.
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