Abakaliki — EBONYI State Government, Wednesday, appealed to the Federal Government to assist the state to accomplish the ongoing N36 billion water reticulation project designed to produce and supply two million litres of water per day to Abakaliki and its environs.

The government, which disclosed that the water treatment plants at Oferekpe in Ikwo Local Government Area and Ukawu in Onicha LGA, would gulp N7.6 billion and N3.9 billion respectively upon completion, noted that the entire project had been designed to last for 45 years as it would ensure adequate water supply to the people of the state.

State Commissioner for Public Utilities, Mr. Ben Okah, who made the call in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen on the level of work done so far at the two water treatment plants, assured the people of the state that the project would bring to an end the perennial water scarcity plaguing the state every year.

He said the assistance of the federal government was necessary, considering the huge resources involved in the reticulation of water to different parts of the state, including local government areas and numerous communities in the state.

He said: "N36 billion is not small money and that is the area we have been asking the federal government to assist us."