Helping Ebonyi State with Water

Ebonyi State, our Fatherland, is blessed with rivers on its boundaries with other neighboring states, and lakes within itself. God perfectly and naturally created Ebonyi, even before the administrative state creation by late General Sani Abacha, with a river running from Ikom, in Cross River State, down to Itu, in Akwa Ibom State, which later joined the high seas from there. As God would have it, He separated Ebonyi from Cross River State with this great river cutting across Abakaliki and Ogoja, Abomege and Ediba, Ndibe-Afikpo and Igonigoni, and finally Unwana and Biase. There is one particular lake bounding Unwana in Afikpo-North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, and Obum in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, and it is used since history between the two communities once a year mostly during the dry seasons of February to April.

Therefore, the base of our name, Ebonyi River, appears to water every local government in our darling state. It serves as the vertebral column of the human body. It is the natural nervous system holding us together. Our founding fathers made no mistake in choosing the name, "Ebonyi". Like the Biblical Simeon, our progenitors and living leaders of Ebonyi State can delightfully thank God for seeing what they had wished to see, and could therefore pass on without regret. The Moses of Ebonyi State, Late Ezeogo, Elder (Dr.) Akanu Ibiam, and our modern Joshua, Princess Alu Ibiam, have cause to relax happily in their various states of existence, for the promised land has been reached. It is now up to every Ebonyian alive today to ensure that the long-sought-for Ebonyi State will not be a replica of Nigerian Independence some 39 years ago, as we work to provide and maintain the water facilities.

What is Water? Water is an inorganic compound composed of hydrogen and oxygen (H20), existing in liquid, gas and solid states. Water is described as a colorless, odorless and tasteless liquid which covers about 75% of earth's surface. Life depends on water for virtually every process. The uses of water cannot be over-emphasized, as we can see in our daily human activities. Probably, every manufactured product uses water during some part of the production process. Industrial water uses includes water used for such purposes as washing, diluting, cooling, fabricating, processing or transporting a product. Some industries that use large amounts of water produce such commodities as food, paper, chemicals, refined petroleum, or primary metals.

Water is also used in power generation with dams. Hydro-electricity is electricity obtained from hydropower, which comes from water driving a water turbine connected to a generator. It is estimated that 15% of worldwide water use is for domestic purposes, which includes drinking water, bathing, cooking, sanitation, and gardening. According to Peter Gleick, the basic requirement of household water is estimated at around 50 liters per person per day, excluding water for gardening.

Water is used in irrigation, which is necessary to grow any crop, and enhances crop yield; especially with such irrigation methods as drip or trickle irrigation, surge irrigation and sprinkler systems. Aquaculture is a small growing agricultural use of water. Improvements in irrigation methods and technologies, agricultural water management and water monitoring can help to produce more foods with less water for the large population. We can observe here that water is essential for economic, industrial and human consumption purposes.

As we are discussing how to help Ebonyi with water, let us highlight the problems associated with water supply in our dear land. Water resources improvement programs have been instituted to provide clean and safer water in the villages and in guinea worm prone areas, and effective communal involvement through Community Development Associations, (or Town Unions), and Age Grades, are also encouraged to promote rural development in Ebonyi State. But go to such rural areas and see things for yourself, and determine if the letters of the signed contract were adhered to.

Then why fight over nothing, as we can see in the report published in Daily Independent Newspapers of September 5 2009, by Felix Uka, that about 100 lives have been claimed in communal clash between communities bounding Cross River and Ebonyi States with a river, i.e., Igbagu in Ebonyi, and Ukelle in Cross River. This same river can be channeled into a better purpose and used, if only we can think.

Moreover, Ebonyi State is seen as one of the states lacking industrialization. How can there be industries without good roads, adequate electricity, constant water supply, health and security? We really lack water, and what people lack they find a way to resolve. This is a situation where one is in a stream, and yet encounters soap the eyes. How can we be surrounded by rivers, live within streams, ponds, lakes and spring waters, and still lack adequate drinking water in our various homes?

If we can remember where this rain is beating us from, and make a positive turn-around, the health problem in Ebonyi State, caused by guinea worm can be permanently taken care of with other economic gains to booth. Let's think! A healthy mind is a wealthy hand, and the best way to arrest the health problem is to get sufficient water supply. The best way to get enough water for the large population is to use what is naturally available to us, i.e., rivers, human resources etc. Just like Moses was asked by God about what was in his hands, and he responded, “a staff,” so we can say now to God that we have rivers, and it shall be turned into steady and efficient use for the improvement of our economic, social and healthy lives.

Sometimes ago a man in my community, Unwana, visited home with his Whiteman friend, and upon seeing the beaches, sands and fishes caught during the dry season shouted, "Wow!" He knew that we are naturally blessed, and advised that we should invest in our rivers. But who will bell the cat? And even if this message reaches the right place, can anyone act fast?

All things being equal, I believe this will go a long way to waking the sleeping minds, and we can think towards this area, because of so many reasons I am unable to mention here. I could still remember when I was a kid, the water scheme in my hometown, Unwana, was very effective. There were water pumps in various strategic points in the community, i.e., almost one pump for four families. But today, the story is not the same. The facilities were not maintained, due to our cultural non-maintenance mentality.

If I were to flash back and remember when I used to fetch water from the tap just in front of my father's house, even in the midnight, I would then ask myself, “can Unwana and the entire Ebonyi State come back to its lost glory, with safe water running for its people?” Surely, it can, if only we could go back to the drawing board, and put our heads together, using whatever we have to get what we don't have. am not discussing or asking for the rehabilitation of Ebonyi water scheme, just to air my views or express my opinions, but to paint it black and white before those concerned to wake up from their slumber and do something drastically.

Brazil is a country estimated to have the largest supply of fresh water in the world, followed by Russia and Canada. We can challenge them and do better as we give heed to the following suggestions stated below as ways we could improve the water schemes in Ebonyi State, and turn them into a better use for economic, industrial and domestic importance.

The state government can partner with the World Economic Forum, an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. It is a foundation incorporated in 1971, and based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization is impartial, non-political, non-profit, and have no national interest.

It is quite observed that we can use whatever funds or resources available to change the waterways into a major source of water to all nooks and crannies of the state. The State Ministry of Water Resources can work with the Federal Ministry of Works, professionals and organizations to rehabilitate the water schemes in Ebonyi State. The rivers across the state can supply enough water year-round in all the local governments, communities and villages, and invariably bring economic, industrial and recreational developments to the state.

It is possible and reasonable that we remember the old-forgotten culture: Fishing Festival, where our rivers, lakes and ponds can be useful economically, socially, culturally and otherwise. After all, we have been yearning for tourist centers in Ndibe and Unwana beaches, and this Fishing Festival cannot be overlooked as one of the best opportunities to attract people from all walks of life, locally and internationally; who will come here to discover other investment channels and see reasons to invest and develop the state. Also drilling the sands from the river alone is an industry of its own.

Let's think and never waste the precious chance God has given us. It is worth embracing. Furthermore, according to the Afro beat King, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, "water no get enemy". So investing in the natural rivers and lakes will surely promote the socio-economic and cultural facelift of our state, thereby attracting friends to our dear land.

Thank God for my able Governor, Chief Martins Elechi, who is trying so much to make sure that this dream of rehabilitating water in Ebonyi State is achieved, with the award of contracts to bring back to life the water supply of Unwana and Ogboromi communities? Also commendable is the combined efforts of the Federal and State governments, the World Health Organization, (WHO), and the World Bank, who have spent billions of Naira to eradicate guinea worm and poverty.

However, we need to ask ourselves, “why this water rehabilitation in Ebonyi State?” Yes, if there is effective and efficient water supply in Ebonyi State, we stand to gain more than lose, and it can help us achieve this feat of using what is naturally given to us to stand among our equals in terms of productivity, plus:

• Guinea worm menace would be finally eradicated, and a healthy environment restored.

• Industries that need water as raw material for production would be attracted to establish their businesses here.

• There would be enough water for irrigation, and the agricultural/farming methods improved.

• Graduates could be trained on fish farming, and ponds provided for their business to flourish.

• Our drinking water would be coming from the right source; right there in our individual homes as the taps would available 24 hours daily.

• Our engineers could think and plan further to build dams for hydro-electricity. That alone could bring our indigenous engineers back to Nigeria, and become useful to our state.

• Employment opportunities created for the youths especially, the young high school graduates.

If our minds come together in a team approach, a step further can give us the matching grant, and with God on our side, the Federal Government, corporate bodies, agencies, well-to-do and concerned individuals, will surely come in to complete the development project for us. And what would you expect? The sun would start shinning on our side, and all eyes would be looking towards our direction, thereby drawing good things, not only to this generation, but also many more to come. That has been my dream for this state.

Finally, I am asking this government to build a modern, technology-driven water system in Ebonyi State, which would channel water from the rivers along our boundaries with Cross River State into the villages, communities, rural and urban areas in the state. Then there would be adequate and constant water supply all year round as long as the river never runs dry. The health system will improve, as all health problems resulting from lack of water must be taken care of and investors will see Ebonyi State as a safe and healthy place to situate their industries.

The new water supply system would also improve the electricity supply through hydro-electricity, and the three basic facilities that attracts industries and economic developments like water, electricity and roads should be in place so far as government helps in completing the road network going on in the state.

I implore the state government to give the host communities the project specifications, so that they could monitor and supervise it. And if the job is not done accordingly, they could immediately report it to the state government. With this, we can restore the lost glory of the water scheme in Ebonyi State. Thank God that recently; the contractor fixing the water system in Unwana tested their work. Move it like that my brother, it is appreciated!

We can then sit back, and beat our chests and be proud to say, we are Ebonyians. A people born in a water land, and really enjoying the water without much ado about nothing. Let's think and help Ebonyi State with water!!!