Enugu metropolis is currently wearing a new look with beautiful and colourful Christmas decorations displayed at various locations, premises of corporate organisations, schools, shopping malls among others.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who went round the metropolis, on Monday, observed that Enugu has been lit up with various decorations, flowers and Santa Claus effigies at some various roundabouts and other places.
The state government through the office of the Ministry of Tourism has also beautified some major streets and roundabout including Independence Avenue, Chime Avenue, Onuasata roundabouts which has the Ijele Masquerade.
The ministry also decorated the Unity Park with different Christmas trees and other decorations as well as the Naira Triangle on Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway.
Some residents, who spoke with NAN about their impressions, said the new look is a reflection of the season, when no one would want to be left out.
A resident, Mr Ifeanyi Nweke expressed satisfaction with the decorations saying that it changed the gloomy mood caused by the hardship faced by the people.
“Enugu is looking clean and beautiful this festive period especially at nights and everywhere is well illuminated to celebrate the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“I will bring my family to the Unity Park that has a lot of interesting things for both children and adults,” he said.
Mrs Jacintha Nweke, a hairstylist at Agbani Road, Enugu, said that she decorated her shop to remind her customers of the Christmas festivity.
A civil servant, Mr Okwy Njoku, said that Christmas season usually change people’s mood as many tend to be happy, thereby, affording them the opportunity to decorate their offices, houses and shops.
“Christmas is a merrymaking season for Christians all over the world. In Enugu, it has also become a period when people look forward to attending events of different kinds,” Njoku said.
Another resident of Enugu, Mrs Chioma Ozo, said that in spite of the prevailing economic situation in the country, her children needed to celebrate the Christmas.
“We all are feeling the economic hardship in the country but in spite of it, l have to make my children happy by decorating my house and getting them gifts.
“I will also take them out to recreational parks on Christmas day in for them to happily celebrate it,’’ she said.
Mr Gilbert Nwoye, who sells Christmas gifts and decoration items at the Garki Market, told NAN that customers were coming to patronise him as Enugu residents were already in the Christmas mood.
“The items I sell are really attracting people to come to patronise me due to the season,” he said. (NAN)
Enugu residents decry rising cost of drinking water
Residents of Enugu metropolis have decried the high cost of drinking water in parts of the city just as Christmas festivities are approaching.
Investigations by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday showed that efforts being made by the state government to provide potable drinking water are yet to yield the desired results.
NAN further reports that many of the water galleries built in parts of the city by the government have remained dry.
NAN reports that a truck of 500-gallon tank of water that used to sell for between N10,000 and N12,000 now goes for between N13,000 and N15,000 depending on the area.
Investigation also revealed that a water of 750- gallon tank of water sells for between N16,000 and N18,000.
Also, in some parts of the city, a 25 litres gallon of drinking water sells for N300 while well water used for cooking is sold for between N50 and N70.
Speaking to NAN, a water tanker driver, Mr Eugene Nwangene attributed the development to a combination of factors including high cost of transport and increased revenues.
A resident of Abakpa Nike, Mr Steve Osuji, said he was surprised that water scarcity still persisted in Enugu city.
“Government has promised to provide water to Enugu residents within 180 days of commencement of its administration yet we are faced with scarcity, ” he said.
A resident of Akwuke area of Awkunanaw, Mrs Mercy Okeke, said that the water situation in the area was the same as it had always been.
“We buy water as usual, for example a 25 liter of drinking water is N300 while well water is either N50 or N60, while some sell N70.
“As the dry season is setting in, many wells are already drying up and as usual we are resorting to buying from water tankers,” Okeke said.
Okeke appealed to the state government to do something to end the perennial water scarcity facing the people.
It is also a similar situation in Independence Layout, Transekulu, Emene and Achara Layout as many residents have resorted to commercial water tankers to get water.
Mrs. Chigozie Ude, who lives in Independence Layout, said she spent N40,000 on a full tanker of 2,000 gallons every two weeks saying that it had not been easy for her and her household.
“I spend N80,000 every month on water alone as against N60,000 I spend during the dry season because I use my well during the rainy season.
“It is difficult to dig a borehole in Enugu because of the topography as the soil is covered with coal which is not healthy. So, I am appealing to the state government to intensify efforts in providing water for the people of the state,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Peter Mbah, has assured the people that his administration was doing all it could to bring water to the doorsteps of the residents.
Mbah reiterated this assurance on provision of water during his quarterly town hall meeting with Enugu State residents held over the weekend.
He said that the government had signed a partnership agreement with Watson Nestor company which had injected $100 million to help modernize the water scheme project.
The governor disclosed that while the company takes care of technical areas, the state government would be taken care of the production of water.
According to him, the company will replace the old pipes and take water to the door steps of the residents and provide meters.
Gov. Mbah explained that the payment of water rate would be 20 per cent less than what residents were spending on purchasing water. (NAN)
Maureen Ojinaka
