Enugu state Governor, Dr Peter Mbah has reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing sustainable, equitable and reliable access to safe water for every resident of the State, stressing that universal water coverage can only be achieved through collaboration among government, development partners, private sector, academia, civil society organisations and local communities.
He spoke on Friday at the grand finale of the Enugu State Sustainability Summit,2026 held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Governor Mbah described water as the foundation of public health, economic growth, environmental sustainability and human dignity, adding that the state’s focus has shifted from simply producing water to ensuring efficient distribution to homes and communities.
SSG, Prof Chidiebere Onyia assuring provision of sustainable clean water in Enugu.
“Bringing water into the metropolis is not the problem. It is now moving water to the neighbourhoods. It is the reticulation. It is the last mile. It is the economic model that underpins that, that we need to interrogate and make sure that it’s sustainable,” Mbah said.
The governor assured residents that addressing water challenges remains one of the administration’s highest priorities. saying, “the water challenge is not something that we go home and sleep casually. It is something that we continue to work on.”.
He disclosed that the government is replacing ageing asbestos pipes with modern ductile pipelines while expanding water infrastructure to underserved communities through strategic partnerships, including support from the French Development Bank.
Mbah also commended the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Blockchain Hub Africa, development partners and other stakeholders for organising the summit and encouraging young innovators to develop practical solutions to the state’s water and sanitation challenges.
The SSG( 4Th Left) in a group photograph after receiving an award
Speaking with journalists , the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the installation of new ductile pipelines marks a critical stage in strengthening the state’s water distribution network.
He explained that ,”the installation of the new ductile pipelines makes water distribution safer to every household and every community. That is the stage we are currently working on,” Onyia said.
He stressed that although water is already available in parts of the network, the government is carrying out a comprehensive distribution assessment to ensure every household receives safe and reliable water.
On request for a completion timeline, Onyia maintained that public safety and water quality must come first, explaining that , “Water is not something you can give a definite timeline for. It is a process. We have to evaluate all the health and safety factors to ensure that whatever water we are giving to the people of Enugu is safe.”
The SSG stressed that community participation is essential to the sustainability of water infrastructure, saying government alone cannot solve the challenge.
On the water debate by students , Professor Onyia said, “No knowledge is a waste. No idea here will go untouched. Beyond selecting winners, we will revisit many of the ideas presented by the young innovators and align them with what the state government is already doing in the water sector.”
According to him, Governor Mbah has made significant investments to ensure every household, community and school has access to potable water.
“The future belongs to those who see challenges as opportunities for innovation. What we are doing today is to merge government efforts with the innovative ideas of our young people so that together we can finally break the water challenge in Enugu State.”
He added that improved water access is a strategic investment in human capital and a critical pillar of the administration’s education, healthcare, industrialisation and economic transformation agenda, urging stakeholders to move beyond discussions and implement practical solutions capable of attracting investment and improving residents’ quality of life.
Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation, Ben- Collins Ndu
Earlier, the Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation, Ben- Collins Ndu (Jnr.), said the summit was designed to engage young people in developing innovative solutions to the state’s water supply challenges while promoting public ownership of ongoing reforms.
“We believe in empowerment and ownership. As a state government, we do our own part in terms of water infrastructure and transmission, but at the same time, we like to involve the community.”
The commissioner said every idea generated during the innovation challenge would receive serious attention.
He noted that Governor Mbah had invested heavily in the water sector to guarantee access to potable water across the state.
“His Excellency has put a lot into the water sector to make sure that every household, every community and every school gets water. We will merge the ideas from the youth with what we are already doing and deliver lasting solutions to the people of Enugu State.”
Providing an update on ongoing projects, Ndu said ,,”One of the key things we’re currently working on is the distribution aspect. The assessment concerns the installation of new ductile pipelines, which will ensure safe water distribution to every household and every community.
“Water projects are a process. I can’t tell you we’re going to finish in 30 days or in one day. We have to evaluate all health and safety factors to ensure that whatever water we provide to the people of Enugu State is safe,” he said.
In her remarks, UNICEF Nigeria WASH Manager, Jolly Maulit, observed that Enugu’s water challenge is not caused by a lack of water resources but by geological conditions, infrastructure deficits and the need for integrated water resource management.
She urged the state to move beyond dependence on isolated boreholes towards climate-resilient infrastructure, professionally managed utilities and evidence-based planning capable of delivering sustainable water services.
She commended Governor Mbah for developing a water master plan, rehabilitating the Ninth Mile Water Scheme and achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, while advocating innovative financing involving government, development partners and the private sector.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Enugu State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (ENRUWASA), Chika Mbah, challenged innovators to extend their focus beyond urban centres and unlock the vast water and development potential in rural communities.
Senator Ben Collins Ndu ,Senior, assuring Enugu residents of sustainable clean water
In an interview with Newsmen, the former Senator who represented Enugu West Senatorial Zone and father of the Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation, Distinguished Senator Ben -Collins Ndu, commended Governor Mbah for prioritising water infrastructure and broader development across the state.
He urged Enugu residents to exercise patience with the state government, adding that there will be water in Enugu.
“It’s only patience. I’m not in government; I’m a citizen of Enugu State. There will be water in Enugu State. The governor is doing well.”
Commending Governor Mbah on his good works in the state, Senator Ndu isaid the governor’s achievements, including the construction of 260 Smart Schools and the establishment of modern Primary Healthcare Centres, demonstrate his commitment to development.
“Governor Mbah built 260 Smart Schools and Primary Healthcare Centres. He is doing well, and that’s why we want him back,” the former senator said.
