By Dons Eze
It is exactly one year and some months since the Enugu State Government under the leadership of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi received $50 million United States (about N25 billion) grant from the French Development Agency (AFD), for the expansion and increase of water production in the state.
Enugu State Water Corporation had already identified key projects where the grant would be channeled to. These include:
* Rehabilitation and revamping of Ajali and Oji River pumping stations.
* Laying of 12 Kilometer pipeline and appurtenances from Oji to Ajali to Enugu.
* Rehabilitation of water scheme in Nsukka and other municipalities within the state where about 100 Kilometer pipeline and fittings will be installed.
So far, the only project that has been awarded by the government from this fund is the N600 million 9th Mile borehole rehabilitation project.
The big question that now begs for answer is: what is Enugu State Government waiting for in commencing the bids/tenders/pre-qualification for the other projects? These are easy peasy designs that ordinarily would not take a long time to complete.
The current water production by the State Water Corporation is 40,000 cubic meter per day, whereas, the daily demand/consumption of water by the people is 150,000 cubic meter.
The daily deficiency of 110,000 cubic meter is quite massive and the resultant effect is depressing.
The government should as a matter of urgency mobilize consultants/third parties to complete the designs as soon as possible as well as award contracts to qualified contractors to deliver these projects so as to alleviate the sufferings, occasioned by the shortage supply of water in the state.
Enough of the uneccessary delay, Enugu needs constant water supply now that the dry season is with us, unless the money has been Nrashified as usual.