The Enugu State Government has observed with dismay acts of sponsored and deliberate vandalism and wanton destruction of government water facilities and other critical infrastructure by some unpatriotic elements in the state.
In a statement, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the incessant attacks on water infrastructure such as water galleries, electrical fittings on solar lights attached to water facilities, damage of both high pressure and distribution pipes by hoodlums have denied many of the innocent citizens of the state access to potable water with a huge cost on the government for replacement.
Onyia said: “these acts which are now causing untold hardship on our innocent citizens, despite warnings, will now be taken as an act of terrorism with dire consequences on those engaging in the criminal venture.”
He also said that in view of the above, “the government, therefore, restates its commitment to ensuring all public facilities are protected at all costs, including water fixtures by reinforcing security surveillance around these facilities, prosecuting anybody or group of individuals caught in this act of sabotage.”
He warned that contractors and other companies constructing roads, carrying on trenching or excavation, or building any structure should exercise the highest level of caution as any damage to water facilities or any other public facility will not only be prosecuted but will also be held responsible for indemnity over what they damage.”
The government urged members of the public to take the facilities as their own by protecting them, and staying vigilant against vandals prowling around. You are advised to make use of any of our communication channels to make your reports.
However, NewsBits observes that the SSG could not specify the exact locations where vandals are destroying water facilities and other critical infrastructures in the state.
NewsBits recalls that a former Governor of the state once told journalists that certain unpatriotic tanker drivers were sponsoring the destruction of water pipes in order to cause artificial water scarcity in the state, thereby giving water tanker owners undue opportunity to exploit residents of the state. But when asked to name the community or local government where such vandalism on water pipes occurred, he he retorted, “go and do your investigation”.
