Water scarcity hits Enugu

Residents of the Enugu metropolis have resorted to using stream and rain water for their domestic chores as scarcity of potable water bites harder in the city.Some of the residents regretted that the development had eaten deep into their pockets as they had been forced to spend much money to buy water.Mr Nnamdi Udo, a resident of the Permanent Secretaries' Quarters at Independence Layout, said that he was yet to see potable water in the area since he moved to the neighbourhood in 2006.``Since I packed into this area, I have not seen pipe borne water. I spend N9,000 every month on water.``The state government for the past six months has been laying water pipes, but we are yet to see a positive result from it and this has made life terrible for me and my family considering our income,'' Udo said.Mrs Lilian Ibe of Asata Street off Ogui Road said that water flow on her street had reduced to twice a week.``Sometimes, if the tap does not flow, we pray for heavy downpour so that we can get water to do our chores. ''Miss Nkechi Ikpe, a student of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, who resides at Abakpa Nike, said she depended on a nearby stream and rain water for her domestic needs.She lamented that in spite of the interviews she granted to media houses on the problem, government was yet to do something meaningful to tackle the problem.``For the past two months now, our tap has not flowed. I am appealing to the state government to help us put a stop to this suffering arising from the scarcity of water,'' she said.When contacted, Mr Chima Nriji, the Public Relations Officer of the Enugu State Water Corporation, attributed the problem to vandalism of the corporation's water distribution valves.Nriji explained that high turbidity of water at the Ajalli Owa Water Scheme also posed a major problem to flow of water to many homes.The spokesman who disclosed that the vandalised valves were being replaced, assured the people that 'the state government is doing everything possible to ensure free flow of water in every household in the state'.
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