Bassey Mensah, the Cross River State Commissioner for Water Resources, says the state is on course to achieving a 24-hour water supply across the state.
The commissioner, who disclosed this during an interview in his office, said the government will soon unveil its blueprint to achieving its target of water supply.
According to the commissioner, “Very soon, we are going to have a new water board and ministry where water will run for 24 hours.
“We are going back to the days where anytime of the day you open the taps you have very clean and hygienic water.
“We are finalizing an agreement with a firm to manage our treatment plants, manufacture our own brand of bottled water and also generate energy for water production using the very latest technology,” he said.
He said the government also plans to completely overhaul the water distribution network in the state because most of the pipes have now become obsolete and in dire need of replacement.
He disclosed that presently, their activities have been largely restricted to the Municipality because almost 80 per cent of water sent out to other areas like Calabar South is wasted.
He also attributed the wastage to road construction in recent years within the area, which damaged water pipes within the area.
He, however, stated that the issue has been sorted out by the present administration and road contractors now have to work with the Water Board to ensure very minimal damage to water installations.
Aniekan Aniekan, The Sun
