“LET’S GET WATER BOARD WORKING”-Hon. Kingsley Ntui

By Victor Osim 

The Cross River State House of Assembly Committee on Water Supply and Sanitation during its oversight function has said that, “all hands must be on desk to get Water Board working in the State.”

The Chairman of the Committee and Member representing Etung State Constituency, Hon. Kingsley Ntui, who led the Members of the Committee on the visit said the visit is a constitutional norm that is established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He stressed that, oversight is an extension of the duty of the Parliament and also a window through which the Ministry of Water Resources can access the help of the Parliament in terms of laws that will help it function optimally.

Ntui added that the visit being the first official one since the inauguration of the Committee is to familiarize with the ministry to know the management and Staff and to as well inspect facilities in the Ministry to highlight grey areas that needs urgent intervention.

“We know the challenges of water supply in the State. Water is one of those very cardinal things that are very important for the survival of mankind.

Water has been a very big challenge for the State for a number of years. The previous administration had their challenges and they were unable to provide the solution. The Assembly, here represented by this committee, is worried and we have come to know what the challenges are.”

Other Members of the Committee include; Hon. Samuel Neji Abang (Ikom I), Hon. Martins Achadu (Yala II) and Hon. Bassey Bassey (Akpabuyo)  added that oversight function helps to strengthen the duties of the Executive Arm of government. 

They reiterated that the Assembly will continue to provide legislations that will enable the  Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) do  jobs very effectively and efficiently for the improvement of the State.

The Committee promised to synergize with the Ministry to facilitate adequate water supply across the State in line with the People First Mantra of the government.

“The government of Prince Bassey Edet Otu is the People’s First, government. Governor Otu is determined to provide the best leadership in terms of democratic dividends to the people of Cross River State, so with regards to water supply, we will do everything humanly possible for Water Board to start supplying water to Cross Riverians soon. We are aware of the efforts the ministry is already putting in place to ensure that solution is provided.”

In response, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Barr. Mensah Bassey informed that Water Board has numerous challenges which cut across infrastructure, equipments and power supply.

He however expressed hope that the measures already put in place in the course of fixing the challenges will soon yield good dividends.

On his part, the Managing Director of the Water Board, Mr. Godwin Uyiam attributed the poor water supply to poor Power supply and obsolete equipment.

“Administratively speaking, we’ve been able to put in one or two in place which has helped water supply in some areas.”

He added that Water Board will need about 200 days, to fix most of the bad equipment including broken pipe and restructure the system to get meaningful results

Uyiam added that the machines were acquired 22 years ago and they are obsolete making it difficult to fix.

“If you tackle the problem of energy without infrastructure or the machine you still will not get results. If you get brand new machines without energy, you will still not get results.

“As a company we are trying to consider alternative energy source rather than relying 100% on PHED and also considering other options either to continue with chemical or non-chemical equipment in line with global best practices”.

The MD said, today the National Water Sea Wage Corporation in Uganda has becoming the best in the whole of Africa. Before now in Nigeria, Cross River water was among the best.

He said they are working out modalities to return back to status.