Former Federal Commissioner, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for the South East, Dr. Ben Nwoye, has voiced strong criticism against Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for failing to deliver on a key promise of providing water to the residents within 180 days of assuming office.
Speaking in an interview, Nwoye recalled the governor’s pledge, saying, “The promise was made and bet that if he doesn’t give water in everybody’s home, at least within Enugu as expected within 180 days of taking off, that he will resign.” Two years after Mbah took office, Nwoye noted that not much has changed in the state’s water supply situation.
“There’s no water in Enugu… The only place you get water is where water was running before; there’s been no progress and there’s no explanation,” he said.
According to reports from residents and water vendors, the cost of water delivery through tankers has continued to climb. Vendors in Enugu metropolis charge around N16,000 for 500 gallons, N22,000 for 750 gallons, and N30,000 for 1000 gallons. This steep pricing has been linked to increased taxes imposed on water vendors by the state government.
Nwoye, a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, said there were early signs of action when pipes were being laid, but that effort seems to have stalled. “It seems almost we have forgotten when he came in, there was an attempt, it was a serious attempt, they were laying pipes, then there’s a story of vandalization and all that,” he recalled.
He also shared his personal experience, pointing out that even in Independence Layout — considered one of the most central areas of Enugu — access to clean water remains a problem. “I live in Independence Layout; there’s no water in my house two years down the line,” he said.
The financial burden on residents who must purchase water daily is another concern. “I still spend money like millions of other people in Enugu metropolis; we still spend money buying water,” he stated. Nwoye believes that a working water system would not only ease daily life for citizens but also improve the state’s internally generated revenue.
He also warned about the public health risks that come with the lack of clean water, especially for those relying on untreated sources. “The health implication of not having water has not been measured. Not having clean water, and people are still using well water… The incident of malaria and typhoid is high with those types of well water, untreated water,” he said.
Beyond the water crisis, Nwoye also criticized Governor Mbah’s approach to infrastructure development, particularly the demolition of homes and businesses without compensation. “A lot of good things are happening, but there are other areas… The speed with which homes of people and businesses are demolished leaves a lot to be desired,” he said.
He questioned the practice of demolishing structures before any discussion or compensation is made. “You just move in and start destroying, taking people’s homes and properties, markets, and you say they should come and write their names down after you have destroyed everything,” he noted.
Drawing from his own experience in Rivers State, Nwoye explained how similar projects were handled with more care and fairness. “During Rotimi Amechi’s period, a lot of expansion was done… They get quantity surveyors and lawyers, and they meet and assess all these properties. When they mark them, they send committees, and they make assessments, and they discuss how to pay, and they pay before even the destruction starts,” he said.
Nwoye urged the current administration to treat residents with dignity, stressing that development must not come at the expense of the people. “You don’t destroy the people to build a project; who then will use it?” he asked.
