Kogi Govt Warns Against Water Pipe Vandalism, Promises Steady Supply

By  Ahmed Muhammad Dan Asabe, Lokoje

The Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr Yahaya Faruq Danladi, has appealed to state residents to be vigilant and monitor the activities of scavengers in their areas. The Commissioner emphasized that the state government will go after scavengers vandalizing and stealing fittings on the rising mains and distribution pipelines belonging to the State water Corporation.

Engineer Danladi made this known in an interactive session with critical stakeholders in Hangwan Tiv in Lokoja Ward 'A' on Sunday. He appealed to members of the community to be vigilant and monitor the activities of scavengers in their areas. Describing the development as unfortunate, he revealed that information at the corporation's disposal showed that scavengers were in the daily habit of stealing fittings on the rising mains and distribution pipeline networks.

The Commissioner reiterated the Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo-led administration's resolve not to treat such acts with kid gloves. "To guard against this act, which is anti-people and anti-government, residents need to be vigilant 24/7 and be on the lookout for these criminals posing as scavengers," he said. Engr Yahaya Faruq Danladi warned those vandalizing, stealing, and selling the items to desist from the act before they were made to face the full weight of the law.

In a related development, the Commissioner assured residents of the Governor Ododo's administration's commitment to ensuring constant water supply in the state. He stated that this would become a reality with the completion of many water supply projects nearing completion in the state.

The member representing Lokoja 1 State Constituency, Hon Shehu Tijjani Ebaiya, decried the illegal connection and building of houses on waterways by citizens. He appealed to residents to desist from such unholy acts. The interactive session, which witnessed a large turnout, had in attendance members of the water users association, plumbers association, women, and youths groups, as well as the Hakimis of Ward 'A' and community leaders.