The Enugu State government says it is issuing the last warning to tanker drivers 6 in the state over their failure to colour-coat their water tankers to indicate if they are carrying clean, safe-drinking water or industrial water.
This is in line with the Enugu State Water Sector Law of 2023 as the timeline and extension date set for the implementation of the law had since elapsed in March.
At a meeting with the leadership of tanker drivers in Enugu over the weekend, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia said the government was committed to protecting members of the public against exploitation by some dubious tanker drivers who fetch unclean water from unhealthy sources and sell to residents as safe-drinking water.
Onyia said the state had already constituted a taskforce that would from time-to-time stop and inspect water being conveyed by the tanker drivers as the water law prescribes that every water tanker must bear either sky-blue colour to reflect clean drinking water or yellow colour to reflect industrial water.
The SSG who was flanked by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Felix Nnamani, said it was unacceptable for tanker drivers to sell industrial water fetched from stream as borehole water from the Ninth Mile, warning that drivers not only risked having their tankers confiscated but also arrest and prosecution.
He also warned tanker drivers over alleged damage and sabotage of water facilities in the state and the severe punishment that awaits erring drivers even as he assured that the government has no intention of running tanker drivers out of their livelihoods as they could still be creative in their approach.
Reacting to the frequent destruction of water facilities and other public utilities, the SSG said that a joint taskforce had already been set up to deal with those perpetrating acts of economic sabotage against the state, urging people involved in the dastardly acts to desist as those caught would have themselves to blame.