Ebonyi Restates Commitment To Safe Drinking Water

The Ebonyi State Gov
ernment has restated its commitment to providing clean and safe drinking water for the people.
The state’s Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Francis Orji, gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen on the government’s efforts to restore public water supply.
Orji said the government was working round the clock to fix the Oferekpe and Ezilo water schemes to stop further disruptions in water supply..
He explained that the lingering water crisis was due to a number of issues, including the incessant power outage in the two water plants, non-availability of chemicals and the collapse of some machines.
“The government has procured the relevant water treatment chemicals as well as purchased drums of diesels to power generators at the stations,” he said.
The commissioner added that a team of water engineers from the ministry were working to rectify other exigencies at the two water plants.
“I wish to reiterate our earlier statement that the government is deeply committed to providing safe and affordable drinking water to the people of the state.
“The problem we are facing in the water sector was inherited from the past administration and the new government is not living any stone unturned to reverse the ugly situation.
“Our team of experts has been on the field since the inauguration of the new regime trying to fix the problems militating against the delivery of potable water to the residents.
“Again the issue of lack of electricity supply is being tackled with the procurement of drums of diesels as well as procurement of chemicals for water treatment.
“I only plead for more patience from the people as the government is doing everything within its resources to ensure the restoration of supplies,’’ Orji said.
The multi-billion naira Oferekpe water scheme was inaugurated in December 2014 but the residents of Abakaliki have been experiencing water scarcity since January.
This development had led the residents to resort to boreholes and sachet water for drinking and other domestic uses.