Firm Tasks Govt On Water Pipes Vandalisation

The Nigerian
Breweries Plc, and 7UP Bottling Company have called on the Enugu State
government to check the constant vandalisation of water pipes at the Ajalli Owa
water scheme.

The Public Affairs Manager, 7UP Bottling Company,
Mr Yinka Adesina, made the call on Tuesday in Enugu, when the company donated a
Hilux van to the state government.

He lamented that vandalisation of water pipelines had
affected the economic activities of the brewery and bottling company.

Adesina said that vandalisation of pipes at the water
scheme located at Ninth Mile Corner, posed pollution threats to the area,
adding that the vehicle would assist the state government to check
vandalisation in the area and its environs.

“We donated this Hilux van to the Enugu State Government
to assist them to check and put a stop to water pipe vandalisation at Ninth
Mile Corner.

“We are not happy because constant water pipe
vandalisation at Ninth Mile Corner have hampered economic activities of our
different companies,’’ Adesina said.

In his speech, a representative of the Nigerian
Breweries, Mr Patrick Ejidoh, appealed to the state government to check the
menace, adding that maintaining clean environment was essential for the
development of the country.

Receiving the vehicle on behalf of the state government,
the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Mr John Egbo, said the
government was prepared to partner with multi-national companies to fight water
pipe vandalism.

Egbo stressed that the Ajalli Owa water scheme was
essential to the state as it was its main source of supply to the people.

He assured the readiness of the government to gear up
security to protect the state’s water scheme.

The commissioner, however, thanked the donor companies
for their support in ensuring adequate security of property in the state.