Water Supply To Enugu Suffers Setback

As citizens of Enugu who are yet to have access to potable water yearn for it especially in areas yet to be reticulated, there are threats to existing facilities.

Hoodlums over the weekend destroyed several machines and other equipment being installed to ensure water supply in the state.

The hoodlums who carried out their operations around 2am invaded the site of the ongoing installation of new ductile water pipes near the Holy Ghost Cathedral in Enugu.

Briefing newsmen on the development, the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia disclosed that the vandals were successfully repelled by security operatives deployed to the site before reinforcement came from the Ogui Police Station.

Onyia regretted that the acts of vandalism of water facilities such as water galleries, electrical fittings on solar lights attached to water facilities, and other infrastructure by some “unpatriotic” individuals in the state was on the increase.

He warned that such acts of vandalism will henceforth be treated not only as economic sabotage but also as acts of terrorism for which the offenders will be made to face the full wrath of the law under the Criminal Code Cap 30 Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.

The SSG regretted that the damage of both high pressure and distribution pipes by hoodlums, have delayed the reticulation of water to residents of the state and in some cases denied innocent citizens access to potable water with a huge cost on the government for replacement.

Mr Onyia restated the resolve of the government to protect all public facilities by reinforcing security surveillance around them as well as prosecuting those who engage in their destruction.

The Enugu State government has been installing water pipes and other equipment in many parts of the state as part of the efforts to reticulate water across parts of the state