By Abbas Nazil
Residents of Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, have called on the state government to expedite the ongoing repair and water reticulation projects to address the persistent water scarcity affecting the city.
The plea follows nearly three months of disrupted public water supply due to the repair and extension of pipelines connected to the Oferekpe and Ezilo regional water schemes.
In separate interviews with journalists last Tuesday, concerned residents expressed frustration over the hardship caused by the prolonged water outage.
They emphasized that many households have had to rely on alternative, often unsafe sources such as boreholes and water vendors, spending a significant portion of their income to meet daily water needs.
Civil servant Dan Elom noted that while the government’s efforts to replace outdated pipes with modern infrastructure are commendable, the process must be hastened to alleviate residents’ suffering.
He expressed optimism that once completed, the upgraded system would ensure a reliable and uninterrupted supply of potable water.
“The government is changing the narratives in water infrastructure. But the Ministry of Water Resources must double its efforts,” Elom stated.
Another resident, Ignatius Okemini, commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for revitalizing the Oferekpe water scheme, which had been abandoned by the previous administration.
He reiterated that the reticulation work, once completed, would greatly improve access to clean water, particularly in underserved parts of the metropolis and surrounding communities.
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“Several areas have been completely cut off from public water, and residents are forced to depend on boreholes and unwholesome sources,” Okemini said, adding, “This has brought untold hardship, especially to average-income households.”
Jude Anyigor, a poultry farmer living in Ije Avenue, said the water scarcity has severely impacted businesses, particularly those heavily reliant on water for daily operations.
He stressed that water is an irreplaceable necessity, both for personal and commercial purposes, and appealed for the quick restoration of public supply.
“Many of us are struggling. Water is life. It cannot be substituted. The government must act fast,” he urged.
Responding to the concerns, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Chinedum Nkah, assured residents that significant progress had been made.
He said the Abakaliki and Oferekpe water schemes are among the administration’s top priorities due to their capacity to serve large portions of the population.
“Before the end of this year, we expect to have adequate water for the capital city and surrounding areas,” Nkah said.
He acknowledged that while the water treatment plants are operational, the challenge remains with reticulating pipelines to reach new layouts and remote areas.
The commissioner also mentioned that the Ukawu water scheme in Ebonyi South is receiving attention and has the potential to match the scale and capacity of Oferekpe.
Nkah assured residents that the state government remains committed to ensuring that every household has access to safe, pipe-borne water.
“Hope is very high as far as water supply is concerned. We are working hard to meet expectations,” he said.
