The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has officially launched a ground-breaking 70 million litre per day water project in Enugu, significantly increasing the state’s potable water production capacity from a mere 2 million litres per day to a remarkable 120 million litres per day.
During the inauguration of the 9th Mile 24/7 Water Scheme on Saturday, Dr. Mbah reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promise of restoring water supply to Enugu city within 180 days from his inauguration. He emphasized that the 4.4mw gas-powered plant, constructed by his administration to supply power to the scheme, will ensure uninterrupted water supply to Enugu residents.
Reflecting on the severe water challenges experienced by Enugu residents in the past, the Governor highlighted the vital importance of reliable water supply to the realization of his administration’s vision to elevate the state’s economy from a GDP of $.4.4 billion to $30 billion within the next four to eight years.
“It was evident that the state of water supply at that time was deplorable. For almost two decades, reliable water supply had been virtually non-existent in most parts of Enugu State,” he remarked.
Dr. Mbah expressed his deep concern regarding the detrimental impact of this deficiency on both businesses and households, stressing that such conditions stifle economic growth and inflict unnecessary hardship across the state.
Recognizing the urgency of addressing this critical issue and alleviating the suffering of the people of Enugu, the Governor declared water provision as a top priority in fulfilling his mandate and social contract with the citizens of Enugu.
He further explained, “We set a target to address this challenge within 180 days, not to boast, but because the issue demanded immediate action. We were resolute in our determination not to prolong the suffering of Ndi Enugu any longer than necessary. Moreover, we saw this as an opportunity to rally the people of Enugu for the arduous tasks ahead and expedite the actions of our administration.”
Recalling the initial skepticism surrounding the promise of providing potable water within the stipulated 180 days, Dr. Mbah proudly announced the successful commissioning of the state-of-the-art water scheme, capable of delivering 70 million litres of clean water to businesses and households in Enugu on a daily basis.
He added, “In the coming weeks, we will also unveil new pumps in the Oji water scheme, enabling us to supply an additional 50 million litres of water daily. This will culminate in a total daily delivery of 120 million litres in Enugu, surpassing the urban area’s daily demand by twofold.”
Assuring the sustainability of the water supply, the Governor noted, “We are presently providing water at satisfactory pressures to the Enugu municipality, and I can confidently affirm that pipe-borne water is now a permanent feature in Enugu.”
While acknowledging the occasional challenges in the distribution of water, he reassured the public, “Undoubtedly, we have encountered instances of burst pipes in the city, but this was anticipated due to the aging of some of our pipelines. Nevertheless, these are only initial setbacks which we are poised to overcome in a matter of weeks, ensuring uninterrupted water supply throughout the year in Enugu.”
Furthermore, Dr. Mbah pledged to intensify efforts to extend pipe-borne water to several major residential areas that have emerged since the previous extensive pipe-laying projects in Enugu.
He also acknowledged the varying degrees of water-related issues in the towns outside Enugu, emphasizing the need to shift the focus towards addressing the water challenges in areas such as Nsukka, Oji, and Udi. He urged the collaboration of residents in facilitating the payment for services and safeguarding the water facilities.
“Reliable water supply comes at a cost! However, I assure you that this water will be far more cost-effective than the current expenses incurred on water tanker supply,” he emphasized.
“We must be prepared to cover the costs of connecting to the meters, which will be installed in our homes and businesses, and pay a reasonable monthly rate for the water consumed.”
Highlighting the communal ownership of the water infrastructure, the Governor passionately urged, “The infrastructure, from the water scheme to the pipelines extending into our residential areas, belongs to Ndi Enugu and must be effectively safeguarded. It is our collective responsibility to protect this infrastructure from vandalism and theft!”
