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Nigeria: Water Scarcity Hits Abakaliki
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Vanguard (Lagos)
23 March 2008
Posted to the web 24 March 2008
Abakaliki
Water scarcity has hit Abakaliki as taps remained dry for more than five days now, forcing residents to source for water from bore holes and even from unsafe sources.
The Ezillo Regional Water Scheme is undergoing rehabilitation for which the state government awarded contract worth about N760 million.
The Acting General Manager, Ebonyi State Water Corporation, Mr Osmond Igwe, however, told newsmen in Abakaliki that although the scheme was undergoing rehabilitation, power supply was another problem.
He blamed the water scarcity on erratic power supply to the scheme, saying "the scheme needs 14 hours uninterrupted power supply to pump water."
Meanwhile, operators of bore holes have increased the price of water with the 25-litre container of water selling for N10, up from N5.
Many residents who live around Mile 50 area, serviced by the Ezillo Water Scheme, complained that bore hole water was not safe for drinking because of the salinity of the soil.
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Some also complained that the water problem was worsened by the long dry season as many wells had dried up.
They urged the government to ensure quick completion of work at the Ezillo Water Scheme.
They also urged the government to assist the Ebonyi Water Corporation to buy diesel and pump water with its power generating sets.They argued that it was cheaper for government to release money for the purchase of diesel, rather than spend millions to check epidemics.
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