Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has restated his commitment to eradicate water scarcity in Enugu metropolis and other towns across the state. He expressed hope that by ensuring a consistent water supply, the need for water storage towers in homes will be eliminated.
The Governor made this assurance when he received a civil society organization, Network of Water Rights Initiative (NEWARI), during a courtesy call at the Government House in Enugu on Monday.
Mbah emphasized that in the 21st century, it is unacceptable for the people and residents of Enugu State to lack clean water. He stated that within the next 154 days, water will start running in homes in Enugu.
He said, “Enugu should not be one of the states facing water challenges because it has abundant water sources. There is absolutely no reason why, in this era, we cannot turn on our taps and have access to clean water.
“We have 154 days left to ensure that water starts flowing in our homes. We are fully aware of the issues and have conducted an in-depth assessment of the problems.
“In addition to addressing the water shortage in the Enugu metropolis, we are also collaborating with local government chairmen to ensure that Nsukka, other towns, and rural areas have their own water schemes from various sources. We want people to have access to water within a 5-minute distance.
“We are constructing a robust system that can provide water every day of the year, without interruptions. That is why we are not solely focusing on the 9th Mile Water Scheme; we are also working on the Orji River Water Scheme and tackling other challenges in the downstream sector. With time, we believe that people will no longer need to build water storage towers in their homes,” the Governor explained.
Commending the organization for their interest in sanitation and hygiene, Governor Mbah highlighted that the provision of water to schools, hospitals, and markets would facilitate access to toilet facilities, thereby helping to eradicate open defecation in the state.
“We are delighted that your organization, as a watchdog, will assist us in accomplishing our goals related to water,” Mbah added.
The Chairman of the organization, Mr. Temple Oraeki, who spoke earlier, stated that the Network of Water Rights Initiative (NEWARI), also known as WASH Rights Network, is a coalition of 23 civil society organizations in the South-East region of Nigeria. They are a member organization of the End Water Poverty Coalition, based in the United Kingdom, as well as the Pan-African Network, Africa Water Justice Network, among others.
He affirmed that the goal of the NEWARI is to enhance access to quality water, sanitation, and hygiene services in the South-East region through evidence-based advocacy, effective monitoring, and accountability mechanisms, primarily focused on achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) number 6, which emphasizes universal access to water and sanitation.
“We are extremely pleased to learn about your commitment to provide water to the homes of ndi Enugu within your 180 days in office, as well as improve sanitation and hygiene in the state. This is a challenging task, but we are optimistic that, through your strong political will and demonstrated capacity in the short time you’ve been in office, it is achievable,” Oraeki expressed.
He also pledged the organization’s support to the Governor in his quest to eliminate the long-standing water challenges in the state and positively impact the lives of the people.
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