Residents of Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, have commended the state government for reinstating regular public water supply to the city and its surroundings.
Speaking in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, the jubilant residents expressed relief, noting that the restoration came at a crucial time amid the dry season’s water scarcity.
Many residents had previously relied on boreholes, while families who couldn’t afford the cost resorted to wells and other unreliable sources for their daily water needs.
Residents Express Gratitude
Mrs. Agnes Onwe, a petty trader, praised Governor Francis Nwifuru for prioritizing water supply and social services. She recalled that the last time she accessed public water was during former Governor Martin Elechi’s administration in 2015.
“I’m overjoyed and grateful to our hardworking governor for restoring public water supply. We last fetched public water in this area in 2015,” she said.
She added that after former Governor David Umahi took office, public water supply ceased, forcing residents to rely on boreholes, streams, and expensive sachet water, increasing the cost of living.
“With the full restoration of regular water supply, families will now spend less on buying water from private vendors, which was quite expensive,” Onwe added.
She also urged the Ministry of Water Resources to repair burst pipes causing wastage in some parts of the city.
Public Health Concerns
Mr. Paul Idika, a public health worker, lauded the government’s intervention, emphasizing the importance of potable water in preventing diseases like cholera.
“The restoration of water supply is a major achievement by the Nwifuru administration, and we hope it is sustained,” he said.
Idika called on the government to fully reactivate all state water schemes, including Oferekpe, Ezilor, and the Old Abakaliki regional water schemes, to ensure a 24-hour water supply.
Students Welcome the Development
Students of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Presco Campus, also welcomed the restoration, stating that it had significantly reduced their water expenses.
Before the intervention, students spent an average of ₦5,000 weekly on water due to the high cost of borehole water and sachet water.
Fred Okoro, Ignatius Eze, Monday Elom, and Uchechi Okpara described the restoration as a “milestone” and a relief for students who had to spend a large portion of their pocket money on water.
“In some lodges without boreholes, students buy a 25-liter gallon of borehole water for ₦200-₦300, while a bag of sachet water costs ₦400-₦500,” they explained.
They, however, appealed to the government to extend the water supply hours beyond the early morning schedule to accommodate students with tight lecture schedules.
Government’s Response
Attempts to reach the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Chinedum Nkah, were unsuccessful. However, Mrs. Angela Nduka, the ministry’s spokesperson, assured that efforts were ongoing to fully reactivate the ultra-modern Oferekpe water scheme.
“Currently, water supply is coming from the Ezilor scheme, so not all parts of the capital city are receiving it yet. However, work is in progress to complete the rehabilitation of the Oferekpe and Old Abakaliki regional water schemes,” she stated.
Residents and stakeholders remain hopeful that the government will sustain and expand the initiative to ensure a steady water supply across the state.
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