Benue worries over vandalised public water pipelines

The Benue State Water Board has expressed worries over its pipeline vandalisation in some areas of Makurdi metropolis in the state capital.

General Manager of the board, Engr. Daniel Okanche, who condemned the activities of vandals, disclosed that a pipeline supplying the Angwan Jukun area including the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and parts of North Bank was recently vandalised.

He said the damage done by the vandalisation has however been repaired and that the community members have been charged with safeguarding it.

Okanche also said that the Board has begun repairs on damaged underground pipelines across Makurdi metropolis in a bid to restore adequate water supply to residents ahead of the yuletide season.

The general manager made the disclosure yesterday during an interview with journalists at his office in Makurdi.

He said Governor Hyacinth Alia has prioritised access to potable water and provided the resources required for comprehensive repairs across the metropolis.

Okanche noted that maintenance work had already been completed on broken pipelines serving the Kwararafa, Lobi Quarters and Wadata areas, adding that attention would shift this week to the 12-inch line running from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the police headquarters to David Mark Bypass and parts of High-Level.

He said that a major setback to water distribution has been the dislocation of pipelines at the Makurdi High-Level underpass, which has disrupted supply to surrounding areas but assured that with most construction work at the underpass now completed, the board would move to relocate pipelines and restore supply.

Okanche said Governor Alia, on water reticulation,  has directed the board to identify new areas for coverage as he disclosed that mapping has been completed in the New GRA, while plans are underway to make the overhead tank at Modern Market Junction functional to improve distribution.

He assured residents that full and stable water supply should be expected before January 2026, noting that the dry season would not mirror last year’s experience.

He said uninterrupted supply has already been restored to Kwararafa, Lobi Quarters and Wadata, with repairs on other lines scheduled for this week.

Okanche added that the state government continued to lose revenue due to interruptions in water supply, which is why efforts to repair damaged pipelines are being expedited to ensure the board resumes full revenue generation.

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