The Enugu State Government says it plans to increase the supply of clean water to Enugu and its environs as part of efforts to ensure sanitation in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Charles Egumgbe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Tuesday that the government also plans to expand its rural water scheme in 2016 to integrate more people at the grassroots.

“Our mandate is to ensure that the people have potable, cheap, good water, sanitation and hygiene, which ultimately will increase our health status and avoid unnecessary diseases, which also can lead to death.

“We are here looking forward to partnerships in which ever form; so it depends on the areas the investor intends to co-operate or partner with us; we are quite open to receive these investors.

“I think Enugu capital city requires a minimum 150,000 cubic litres of water.

“So, at as now, we can hit 70 per cent (or) a little less as the case maybe.”

NAN reports that the state government has earmarked N661 million in its 2016 budget for the water ministry and the agencies under it in order to expand its water supply project to both urban and rural areas.

The commissioner, therefore, called on investors to invest in water production and distribution in the state.

He stated that the supply of clean water to all households in the state will go a long way to eliminate water and air-borne diseases.

NAN reports that most households in Enugu now receive water through the central public water supply system, which cannot get to all the nooks and crannies of the state capital. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Ugwuanyi.

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