By Balimwor Ekpe
The Comissioner for water resources in Cross River State, Barr. Bassey Offiong Mensah has reassured Cross Riverians of Government’s commitment to serve residents and indigenes of the state with adequate and portable water, in line with Governor’s Otu priority for efficient and portable water supply in Cross River State, which he promised during his campaigns.
Barr. Mensah who within five months as Commissioner for water resources has achieved impressively in the supply of portable water to residents of the state, further applauded the Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu for keeping to his campaign promises of revamping the Cross River water board to serve Cross Riverians with portable water as the achievements of Cross River water board are attributed to the Governor’s priority for water supply which he clearly stated during his campaign with promises of revamping the water sector and restoring uninterrupted supply of portable water in Cross River State.
The Comissioner said, Cross River water board limited in the past was faced with the challenges of inadequate power supply and vandalized pipes, situations that have been addressed by the present Government that is passionate about Cross Riverians enjoying water. He noted that as a former general manager of Cross River water board limited, he has knowledged about the challenges that the establishment had, which were debt in electricity bills and the vandalized pipes which impeded the production of water, but as he resumed office with commitment to service, him and the Governor swung into action immediately and addressed the issues, which have now enabled them to operate their water treatment plants and supply water across the environs of calabar.
Barr. Mensah disclosed that Cross River State water board Limited produces water at a high cost but serves the public with the cheapest water rate at the sum of One hundred and fifty naira for five drums, a fair price that cannot be gotten any where around the country, continued that his ministry will soon commence production of bottle water and supply of water to homes through their water tankers.
Speaking on the supply of water in the central and northern parts of Cross River State, the Comissioner mentioned that the state has nine water plants including calabar and the eight that are situated in the north and central parts of Cross River will commence supply of water to their communities by next week as the management and staffs in all Cross River Water board plants are working tirelessly to ensure that Cross Riverians enjoy uninterrupted and portable water supply all over.
Barr. Bassey Mensah frowned at the vandalization of Government facilities by individuals in the society and charged residents to develop interest in securing Government facilities, as the replacement of the vandalized facilities is at huge cost, which is inappropriate for a progressive Government especially in the Government of Senator Prince Bassey Otu that has prioritize the supply of portable water across the state.
Finally, the Comissioner extolled Governor Bassey Otu for his good intentions for Cross River State which have started manifesting through the supply of portable water, lighting of the streets, construction and maintenance of Roads which indeed are returning Cross River State back to it’s status quo. Called on Cross Riverians to support the administration of Senator Prince Bassey Otu who means well for everybody in the state.
