By Agnes Okafor-Igwe
The Ebonyi State Government has commenced the supply of potable water to residents of the State in no fewer than 100 streets of the Abakaliki metropolis from its newly rehabilitated five Water schemes within two years.
The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Chinedum Nkah made this known to journalists in Abakaliki on Tuesday while enumerating the achievements of the State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru in the water sector in the State within two years in office.
He assured that the ministry is committed to the supply of good drinking water to all streets of the Abakaliki metropolis before the end of 2025 to boost the health and day-to-day activities of the residents.
As a measure to ensure constant water supply to residents of the State, Nkah noted that the ministry has started training youths on borehole repairs.
Nkah said in addition to pipe-borne water, the state government had provided over 200 boreholes and water wells across communities in the state within two years in office.
He decried the way water projects were being neglected by the previous governments, noting that the present government, under Governor Francis Nwifuru, had achieved 100 per cent rehabilitation work at the Eziulo water scheme.
“The old Abakaliki water scheme is 80 per cent completion. So, we are trying to ensure that water gets to all homes, especially in the city. The government is also working hard to reactivate the ultra-modern Oferekpe, Ishiagu water scheme,” he explained.
Nkah reaffirmed the reticulation of water to all homes in the State by the end of 2025 following the rehabilitation of a total of five water schemes, including the Eziulo, Oferekpe, old-Abakaliki, Ishiagu, and Ukawu.
“The Eziulo water scheme is currently delivering water to the public. The Oferekpe water scheme will soon be ready with the rehabilitation work at the site.
“After the complete work at the Eziulo water scheme, we found out that there are a lot of leakages at various corners of the capital city.
“We have been doing a lot of repairs on the water pipes damaged during road construction. We hope before the end of 2025, water will get to all the streets.
“Currently, we have about 75 streets already enjoying the water from the Eziulo axis. I urge the residents to support the water project and ensure that we achieve sustainability,” he added.
“The supply of the water is currently free, but for the connection you have to pay a little token because we have to take data and a lot of materials we have to buy before one can be connected.
“In addition to the supply of pipe-borne water, the state government had provided over 200 boreholes across communities in the 13 local governments of the state within the two years in office,” the Commissioner added.