By Isaac Mission
The Ebonyi State Government has stepped up efforts to tackle persistent water shortages by rehabilitating abandoned water infrastructure and extending pipelines to populated areas, markets and other public facilities across the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Water Resources, Victor Chukwu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abakaliki, explaining that the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru had committed significant resources to restoring facilities that had remained inactive for several years.
One of the major projects receiving attention is the Oferekpe Water Scheme, a large-scale facility with the potential to substantially improve water supply across Ebonyi.
Chukwu said more than ₦16 billion had been spent on the Oferekpe project as far back as 2013, questioning why such an important public asset was allowed to remain unused for years.
He said the government had also succeeded in bringing the Ezillo and Old Abakaliki water schemes back into its rehabilitation programme.
According to him, the Ezillo Water Scheme is already functioning and supplying water to sections of Abakaliki. However, ageing pipelines, leakages and vandalism have continued to limit the volume of water reaching some parts of the city.
The commissioner explained that work at Oferekpe is also being affected by an obstruction restricting the movement of raw water into the central reservoir. Engineers are expected to address the problem when the dry season provides suitable conditions for the necessary work.
Chukwu said the Old Abakaliki scheme faces additional challenges following years of neglect, equipment cannibalisation and disruptions to its water connections caused by urban development.
Government Chooses Rehabilitation Over Abandonment
The commissioner said Governor Nwifuru had opted to restore existing infrastructure rather than abandon old projects and commence entirely new ones.
He described the approach as part of the administration’s commitment to continuity, responsible use of public funds and recovery of government assets.
Funds, he said, have been made available for electromechanical repairs, water treatment materials and the completion of outstanding structural works.
Chukwu argued that abandoning existing infrastructure would place an unnecessary burden on taxpayers, particularly because recreating a facility on the scale of Oferekpe would require far more resources under current economic conditions.
Water Supply Extended to Markets, Rural Areas
The government is also expanding its reticulation network beyond residential neighbourhoods.
According to the commissioner, pipelines have already been extended to major commercial locations, including the Abakaliki International Market, as part of plans to ensure that populated public areas have access to government-provided water.
He said the programme would progressively cover more rural communities across the state.
While acknowledging challenges posed by vandalism, ageing infrastructure and years of inadequate maintenance, Chukwu maintained that the government’s ongoing investment demonstrates its determination to improve access to clean water.
He also appealed to stakeholders to avoid turning the provision of basic amenities into a political issue.
Chukwu expressed optimism that the rehabilitation and expansion programme would significantly improve water availability in Ebonyi in the coming months.