Why we can’t supply water to consumers - MD

BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

The Managing Director of Akwa Ibom Water Company Limited, Barr Aniefiok Ukpe has given reasons why the agency can no longer supply water to its consumers in Akwa Ibom people.

Barr Ukpe said the reason is because of the massive road constructions that is going on in the State, saying that most of the pipelines that were laid have been destroyed.

The MD while speaking with THE INK last week in his office, said another reason the State is expirencing shortest of water is that the existing infrastructures that were put in place by previous government, had decade and for the past eight years the government has done nothing about in reviving them.

He noted “For eight years now, government has not looked into reviving water pipelines and even sub stations. All the connections in Eket, Uyo, Uruan and even other Local Government Areas have been destroyed through road constructions. This has affected our revenue generation.”

Ukpe maintained that the worst of it all is that the construction companies as well as Ministry of Works have refused to pay for the relocation of the affected pipelines. He added that due to lack of reconnecting the pipelines, consumers no longer enjoy their services and has affected the revenue generation of the agency.

According to the MD, “In every contract paper, there is always a provision for the relocation of utilities. That includes; telephone lines, water pipelines as well as electricity poles. Up till today, no money has been released to us from the construction companies or the Ministry of Works for the relocation to be carried out. We are saying if you can’t give us money, you can as well do the relocations by yourself.”

While stressing that water is an essential commodity for humans consumption, the MD pleaded that government should come to the aide of the agency even as he appealed to the people concern to help the agency to reconnect water back to its consumers. This is said will help in generating revenue to the agency. In his words, “We are telling them to give us money of the pipelines that have been destroyed so we can restore them back.”

The water company boss used the opportunity to advice consumers who are yet to pay their bills to do so to avoid disconnection. He however, disclosed that the agency’s estimate for the 2018 budget is in the sum of #600 million, and that when released would be used for the rehabilitation of the existing water schemes, renovation of Ukanafun, Ikono and other sub stations in Akwa Ibom State.

The Managing Director of Akwa Ibom Water Company Limited, when asked of his view on the forthcoming coming general elections, he backed Governor Udom Emmanuel to contest for a second term in office come 2019.