20 WATER DISPENSING KIOSKS FOR SEMI-URBAN CENTRES SOON

In a determined effort to provide good drinking water to its citizen, the state government is to deliver a total of 20 beautifully constructed water dispensing kiosks to the semi-urban populace of the state this year.
Engr. Bassey Ating who disclosed this recently during the ministerial press briefing, said the exercise would help to stem the tide of typhoid fever and other water borne ailments caused by the consumption of unclean water and also contribute towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target of halving 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe water and sanitation.
According to him, the kiosks would reduce to barest minimum the wastage usually associated with the traditional water stand post.
Engr. Ating explained that the involvement of the community in the maintenance of the water dispensing kiosks would ensure sustainability.
The Managing Director said that Government was also investing substantially in pipe lines reticulation beginning with Uyo and its environs to be followed by Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Itu, Abak, Etinan, Oron and Ikot Abasi.
He maintained that the objective of the project is to boost the accessibility of people to water infrastructure through the improvement of private water connecting from the current abysmal 16.000 to 70.000
He added that the project also seek to address the age-long practice of laying pipes across the roads in order to extend water utility to prospective consumers.
Under the programme, the Managing Director also said that his company is committed to providing potable drinking water at affordable price making sure consumers pay for the actual volume consumed and to ensure sustainability, it has introduced a prepaid metering system and the installation of these meters has reached advance stage in Ewet Housing, Shelter Afrique and Ebiye Haven Estate.
Engr. Ating then outlined the challenges militating against optimal production of water to include: - Epileptic power supply from PHCN, wanton destruction of pipelines, invasion of right of way by developers and consumers attitude.