The Enugu State government has provided an official explanation regarding the delay in fulfilling Governor Peter Mbah’s campaign promise to deliver pipe-borne water to residents within 180 days of taking office. In a recent statement, the government acknowledged that the promise, which was a cornerstone of the governor’s campaign, has not yet been met. Officials attributed the setback to an underestimation of the enormity of challenges involved in executing the project.
The governor's original commitment to provide reliable and sustainable water supply was one of the major pledges during his electoral campaign. However, more than six months into his tenure, the project has faced significant delays. In response to mounting public criticism, the state government issued a statement outlining the factors that have hindered the fulfillment of the promise.
According to the statement, the government did not fully anticipate the scale of infrastructure rehabilitation, technical challenges, and logistical issues that have emerged since work began on the project. The statement also mentioned that the state’s water systems, in many areas, were in a far worse condition than initially assessed, requiring more extensive repairs and upgrades.
"The challenges surrounding the delivery of pipe-borne water are much greater than we had initially estimated," said a spokesperson for the Enugu State government. "We inherited a system that is not only outdated but has been neglected over time. The process of bringing it back to full functionality involves far more complexity and financial investment than originally envisioned."
The government emphasized that despite the setbacks, it remains committed to fulfilling its promise. Efforts are currently underway to mobilize additional resources, and discussions are ongoing with technical experts to expedite the process. Officials assured the public that while the 180-day target has not been met, the state is working towards achieving a sustainable water supply in the shortest possible time.