The Network of Water Rights Initiative (WASH Rights Network), has tasked the residents of Enugu metropolis to join in monitoring the progress of the promise made by the state governor, Dr Peter Mbah to fulfill his promise of providing portable water in every home before his 180 days in office.
Governor Mbah had during the 2023 election campaign, promised to provide access to clean drinking water to the people of Enugu within 180 days from the day of his inauguration.
But, with just 30 days left for the fulfilment of the promise, the WASH Rights Network declared that it is driving the process of monitoring the progress made in fulfilment of that critical campaign promise.
In a statement issued in Enugu on Tuesday, WASH Director, Temple Oraeki, said the move was to hold the state government accountable and ensure it delivers on promise made.
While recognizing that access to clean drinking water is a basic human right that should not be denied anyone, the group commended the government in taking the bold step to set a target to put an end to “this violation of human rights in Enugu State by ensuring that every citizen and residents in the state have access to clean drinking water”
Oraeki however lamented that lack of access to clean water had had debilitating impacts on the health and socio-economic wellbeing of residents of Enugu State for far too long.
He therefore called on all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, media houses, and concerned citizens, to join in monitoring the progress of the Enugu State government in fulfilling their promise.
“The WASH Rights Network is a network of over 20 grassroots civil society organizations focused on advocating for access to clean water and sanitation, decided to monitor the progress of the state government in fulfilling its promise of providing access to clean drinking water to the people of Enugu within the stipulated timeframe.
“The Network believes that through collective efforts, we can hold the government accountable and ensure that they deliver on their promise” Oraeki said.
He disclosed that as the final day for Mbah’s promise approaches, the Network had instituted an Online Countdown Platform to monitor the progress of the Enugu State government.
“As part of the countdown, the Network will be adopting an evidence-based approach to document any progress made, which will include site visits, interviews with stakeholders, weekly accountability radio programmes, and an interactive online feedback platform to collate feedback on the status of water supply in different localities within Enugu Metropolis from the public.
“The Network will also be sharing feedbacks from the field with the government while construvtively engaging them to ensure that they are aware of the importance of fulfilling their promise and the negative impacts of not meeting the target”, he said.
