The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Mainstream Media, Dan Nwomeh, has restated the commitment of the state government to end the over 20 years-old water scarcity in the state. This is as the world marked the 2024 International Water Day.
Nwomeh said this on Friday in Enugu at the CSO/Media Exchange maiden edition organised by Network of Water Rights Initiative in partnership with Global Society for Anti-corruption, Enugu Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Media Unit, Government House, Enugu.
NewsBits reports that the occasion was part of activities to mark the 2024 International Water Day in Enugu, themed: “Water for Peace”. According to Nwomeh, Governor Mbah vowed to provide potable water in Enugu within his first180 days in office, adding that , “His Excellency was able to meet the target, not because it was a campaign promise but because he knows that water is a critical challenge in Enugu, and he is bent on solving it.”
Nwomeh further said: “Work is seriously ongoing, and we are making progress in replacing rustic water pipes and velves in some parts of the state to ensure that all homes have access to portable and hygienic drinking water. “Some of the challenges encountered in the course of making water available include building of over 200 houses on water lines and this makes it difficult for engineers to work in those areas”.
“These houses were built illegally, and the governor said he cannot demolish the buildings rather than find an alternative way of solving the water problems in the areas. As a result of this hinderance, the State Water Corporation does not have capacity to do so many things that they need to do but this will not stop us from providing water to every home in the state as the Governor is working day and night to ensure that water is made available.”
Nwomeh explained that the delay in distribution or reticulation of water to every nook and cranny of Enugu was due to the replacement of the old asbestos water pipes laid by the British colonial government. But in her speech, the Coordinator, Network of Water Rights Initiative (NWRI), Ambassador Amaka Nweke said that humans could reduce conflicts caused by water scarcity, and pave the way for peaceful coexistence.
Ambassador Nweke said this could be achieved when concerned authorities begin to prioritize sustainable water management practices and fostering equitable distribution. Nweke said that investing in water infrastructure and technology could empower communities, thereby laying the groundwork for prosperity and harmony.
She said: ” In countless regions, water scarcity exacerbates tensions and fuels conflicts. Today, let us commit to transforming water from a potential source of contention into a catalyst for cooperation.” She further said that this year’s World Water Day should be a call to action – a call to authorities to prioritize water as a cornerstone of global peace.
“As we work collectively towards ensuring access to clean water for all, we build bridges that transcend political and cultural divides,” said Nweke, who quickly added: ” Together, let us pledge to be stewards of this invaluable resource, recognizing that the path to peace flows through the sustainable management of our shared waters.”
The NWRI Country Director explained that the objective of the media exchange was to foster a deep understanding of water related issues, promote peace building initiatives, and strengthen collaboration between media practitioners and civil society organizations in ending water scarcity.
“As we gather here on this World Water Day 2024, …We reflect on the profound role that water plays in fostering peace and unity across the globe. Water the source of life, transcends boarders and binds us together in our shared dependence on this precious resource. It’s incumbent on us to recognize the interconnectedness of water and peace, for where there’s access to clean water, there is a foundation for stability and cooperation,” the Ambassador said.
Nweke used the occasion to laud the Governor Peter Mbah-led administration of Enugu State for its numerous efforts to end water scarcity in the state.
She said: “We appreciate the fact that Enugu can boast of having 120 million litres of water per day. We also have seen the ongoing fixing of modern new ductile pipes to replace the age long asbestos pipes to enable hitch-free transportation or reticulation of water to our homes.”
Also speaking, Tony Adibe, an author, and a member of the Correspondents’ Chapel, advised residents of the state to support Gov. Peter Mbah to succeed in providing water for all in the state. Adibe commended Governor Mbah for tackling the age long water challenge in the state especially in Enugu metropolis with commitment and political will..
“The issue and challenge of water is one thing every resident of Enugu metropolis carries as a burden; but thank God for Gov Peter Mbah coming to lift the burden from our shoulders,” he said, adding: “In our quest to have potable water, which I believe is a right, we should avoid being unruly and violent. We have to make our demand for clean water in a peaceful manner.”
The writer described water as a critical factor in the life of every living thing, stressing that, “from the time a child is born in the labour room to when he grows old and enters the grave, man is always inseparable to water.” There messages of goodwill which were also given by the representative of the People Living with Disabilities, Chief Executive of Dan Ukwu foundation, Dan Ukwu.
