people of the South East zone due to lack of planning or neglect by
the various administrations that have served in the five states of
Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo which make up the area.
Politicians still play politics with provision of water. During the
first republic, politicians were said to have used water supply as a
weapon of blackmail against communities.
Water scarcity in Imo
Imo State cannot be said to lack water, especially as it boasts of
several natural sources. They include Imo River, Otamiri, Nworie,
Urashi, Lake Nwaebere, Oguta Lake, Uramurukwa and Ogochieoche among
others. If these natural sources of water served the purpose for their
existence before the civil war, it is no longer so today. It is a
known fact that these natural sources of water have since been
polluted, leading to periodic water borne diseases like cholera and
typhoid fever, among others.
In Owerri for instance, all the drains constructed by road contracting
firms in the city, emptied into the two major rivers- Otamiri and
Nworie. This has led to the pollution of the natural water sources.
Faced with this ugly development, the Sam Mbakwe administration came
up with water projects in parts of the old Imo State. They included
but are not limited to the Greater Owerri Water Scheme, Okigwe Water
Scheme, Umuahia Water Scheme and Aba Water Scheme. While the last two
water schemes were ceded to Abia State, following the creation of the
new state, the others are in Imo.