Residents of Enugu State are expressing growing frustration over the continued scarcity of pipe-borne water, nearly three years after Governor Peter Mbah promised that water would begin flowing into homes within 180 days of assuming office.
During the 2023 electioneering campaign, Mbah assured residents that his administration would end the decades-long water crisis in Enugu metropolis within six months of taking office.
The promise raised high expectations among citizens who had endured years of relying on water vendors and private boreholes for their daily water supply.
In November 2023, the state government commissioned the Ninth Mile 24/7 Water Scheme and revived the Oji River Water Scheme, projects expected to produce about 120 million litres of water daily for the state capital and surrounding areas.
The projects were presented as part of the government’s effort to restore reliable water supply after many years of shortages across the city.
Despite these developments and significant budgetary allocations reportedly running into about N70 billion for the water sector between 2024 and 2026, many communities say the expected improvements have not reached their homes.
Residents in areas such as Nsukka, Ngwo, Uwani and parts of Awkunanaw say water scarcity remains a daily challenge.
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Many households still depend on commercial water tankers, water vendors and private boreholes to meet their daily needs, a situation that continues to increase the cost of living for many families.
Several residents have expressed disappointment that the promise of accessible and affordable water has yet to become reality for many parts of the state. For them, the situation highlights the gap that often exists between political commitments and actual service delivery.
Government officials have, however, attributed the delays to structural challenges within the state’s water distribution network.
According to the government, many of the pipelines across Enugu are old and unable to withstand the pressure from the upgraded water schemes, leading to frequent pipe bursts and distribution setbacks.
While rehabilitation and expansion of the water infrastructure are said to be ongoing, residents insist that the urgency of the problem cannot be overstated. For many households in Enugu, access to clean water remains a daily struggle.
As the administration moves closer to its third year in office, many citizens are still waiting for the fulfilment of a promise that once raised hopes across the state.
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