The Enugu State government has clarified why Governor Peter Mbah’s campaign promise to provide pipe-borne water to all homes in the state capital within 180 days has not been fully met. Speaking during the 2025 budget breakdown at the NUJ Press Centre, the State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Chris-Roberts Ozongwu, attributed the delay to unexpected challenges with the state’s water infrastructure.
Governor Mbah had pledged to ensure every household in the state capital would have access to clean and sufficient water within six months of taking office. However, nearly 19 months into his tenure, many residents still face water shortages, despite the completion of the 9th Mile Water Scheme, a project inherited from the previous administration.
The situation has worsened with the current harmattan season, which has dried up wells in many areas, forcing residents to rely on purchasing sachet or tanker water, further straining their finances.
Explaining the delay, Ozongwu said, “The existing infrastructure could not handle the pressure from the 9th Mile Water Scheme, causing frequent pipeline bursts. As a result, the government had to reduce water distribution and focus on rehabilitating the entire network.” He added that outdated asbestos pipes were replaced with modern plastic ones to improve efficiency and safety, which extended the timeline.
To tackle the issue, the state plans to spend N1 billion on semi-urban water schemes in areas such as Idodo, Nvenne, and Amodu. Additionally, N9 billion will fund new pipelines from the twin tank to market reservoirs, while another N9 billion will extend distribution lines to new estates and neighborhoods.
The government is committed to resolving the challenges, but residents continue to endure the hardship of limited water access, especially during this dry season.
