13th July, 2011
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers State has called on Governor Rotimi Amaechi to provide clean drinking water for the people of the state.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, the party noted that almost all the taps in the state capital and its suburbs are dry with no signs of resuscitation coming from government quarters.
The party expressed regret that despite the huge allocation to the water resources ministry in the state, no meaningful, concrete and beneficial steps have been taken to restore clean water for public consumption.
The ACN charged the governor to ensure that the billions of naira voted annually for the ministry do not go down the drain or into the pockets of individuals who do not care about the health of the ordinary people.
The party also advised the governor to consider curtailing his frequent overseas trips and save a large chunk of the wastage for the provision of the much needed water for indigenes and residents of the state to enhance their living standards.
The party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Jerry Needam expressed grave concerns that an issue such as the sustained provision of clean, potable water would come as the least priority to the authorities in the state despite funds being continuously earmarked for the sector.
He wondered why Governor Amaechi does not ask questions on how funds voted for the provision of basic amenities are spent by members of his cabinet.
Needam opined that the governor would shore up his worth if he heeds the advice to trim down on frivolities and concentrate more on benefits expected by the public such as the provision of water.
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt