Bangem Water Crisis: Paramount ruler calls for investigations

*By Olive Ejang

The Paramount Ruler of Bangem, HRH Chief Nnane Nnoko Emmanuel has called on the government to open an investigation into Bangem water crisis, which has brought untold suffering to the population. Chief Nnane was speaking at his palace recently where he prided himself that, Bangem has the best source of water in West Africa, and the second best in Africa after Kenya, as confirmed by a firm in Holland.

He said portable water in Bangem is also very rich in mineral content and is over 96% free from radicals. However, the Chief regretted that a few years ago, the sum of 230 million FCFA was allocated for the rehabilitation of Bangem water, especially with the increasing population. “But a criminal contractor came here and use smaller pipes in the rehabilitation process. Now these pipes cannot effectively supply water to Bangem and its environs. We are suffering seriously”. Chief Nnane lamented.

The Paramount Ruler appealed to the government to intervene and help Bangem out of the water crisis else waterborne diseases like cholera could affect the population. He pleaded that with the coming of the Bangem-Nguti road, water will be highly needed for the construction process. Chief Nnane also called on sons and daughters of Bangem and people of goodwill to come and invest in the town for development.

He said the peaceful nature of the town, good vegetation, and rich soil, is a vital ingredients for investment and development. The Divisional Delegate for Water Resources and Energy, Kupe Muanenguba, Jacob Akume Ewang confirmed that the source of Bangem’s pipe-borne water from the Muanenguba Twin Lakes is so unique. But he also regretted that, besides the smaller pipes used in the rehabilitation process that has affected the flow of water, tomato farmers have been bursting pipes along the line to use water in their farms. Akume pleaded with the Mayor of Bangem Council, Ekungwe Kang Christopher to sanction the perpetrators of this action, which contributes to the water crisis in Bangem.

It should be noted that on the 8th of December 2022 during the Second Ordinary Session, Mayor Ekungwe said 396 million FCFA is needed to bring a permanent solution to Bangem water crisis. He said the council is lobbying for funds from FEICOM and other sources. He pleaded with the population to be conscientious in the usage of water, as the council spends a lot of money to repair burst pipes.

Olive Ejang is the Divisional Delegate of Communication in Kupe Munanenguba in the South West region.