By
Prof. Chris Chimdubem Ngwu
The problem of water scarcity in Enugu City has been around since the short-lived Administration of Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo in the early 1990s and has gotten worse since then even as the population of the state increased in geometric progression.
It was, also, a surprise to many people within and outside Enugu State, supporters and opponents alike, when the then PDP Gubernatorial candidate, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mba proclaimed that he would solve the water scarcity problem within his first 180 days in office.
If I had not known the man, Peter Mba, closely for several years and have seen him surmount greater challenges with ease and finesse, I too would have doubted the possibility of such a promise.
To understand the context properly, water scarcity in Enugu was so serious that it determined the cost of houses. Houses with well water and overhead tanks cost a little above 100% more than houses without water. And still during the dry season, the well water would dry up, making it such that those who lived in duplexes in the heart of the city patronized aboki water vendors who sold water in gallons.
People who were born in Enugu without silver spoon from 1990 upwards have not had the privilege of seeing water run in their houses. They only know well water and the stress that comes with it.
Comedians on Facebook and Twitter (now X) have made several jokes about the water scarcity in Enugu. One of them commented that Enugu girls are too pompous for people who do not have running water.
It was such that during dry seasons, tanker drivers who haul water from 9th Mile to Enugu behave as if Jesus is their flatmates. You would have to call them consistently for a week or two before they brought water to you.
This has gone on for nearly 30 years such that it has become traditional for almost every house in Enugu to be dotted with Wells.
This was why, even some core supporters of Governor Peter Mba didn’t believe in their innermost being that Peter Mba would fulfill that promise.
To many, it sounded too bogus. To others, it was an unwarranted exaggeration. However, to us, it’s simply another audacious move from a man who took Pinnacle Oil from a one room office to become one of the biggest players in the Oil sector in just a space of 10 years.
Therefore, I never doubted his capacity to deliver, I was just curious to see how he would skillfully deliver.
I was watching with the keenness of a fan watching Lionel Messi or Christiano Ronaldo as they are about to play. The fan watches, not to know if they would perform or not, but to see the unique performance they would deliver this time around.
I, therefore, watched in amazement as Governor Peter Mba braved it, employing his ingenuity and creativity to deliver on this promise.
Today makes it 180 days and to the surprise and amazement of many, but to the reaffirmation of my trust in him, Governor Peter Mba has delivered.
Not only is water running through all the pipes in Enugu, but areas where people never knew that pipes existed have seen such pipes burst open and overflow with water. Some of these pipes have been dry for 3 decades but can now see water, and it’s such that a lot of them can’t withstand the pressure of the water.
Coupled with that, he ensured that every street has a water collection point from where residents can seamlessly connect their individual homes to the clean drinkable water.
What a sad news for Tanker drivers!
As His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mba marks his 180 days in office, the question is no longer whether he succeeded in bringing water to Enugu people, but, about repairing the pipes spoilt by the water he brought.
He goes on to prove that anything can be easily done as long as there is a competent man at the helm of affairs.
Having fulfilled this promise, one needs not doubt his capacity to fulfill his other Audacious Campaign Promises like raising Enugu’s GDP to 30 billion US Dollars and constructing 10,000 kilometers of roads in the State.
We must trust and support Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mba as he takes Enugu State to the Zenith, for, INDEED , TOMORROW IS HERE!
Wherever Peter Mba goes, Competence follows!
Prof. Chris Chimdubem Ngwu writes from Enugu.