The Nasarawa State Government on Monday appealed to communities in Kokona and Keffi Local Government Areas of the state to remain calm, following the persistent scarcity of portable water in the areas.

The acting General Manager of the state’s water board, Mr. Samuel Adigizi, who made the appeal on Monday in Keffi, said the government was worried over the water scarcity.

Addressing newsmen shortly after inspecting dilapidated pipelines along the Garaku-Keffi highway in Kokona, Adigizi attributed the development to a recent heavy down pour that washed away pipelines supplying water from the Akwanga Dam to the communities.

“The Nasarawa State Government under Governor Tanko Al-Makura is doing its best in providing portable water and other facilities to citizenry to better their standard of living.

“It is unfortunate that the heavy down pour which occurred recently washed away water pipelines thereby disconnecting pipelines from supplying water to communities.

“The heavy down pour has not only washed away pipelines supplying water but has also caused untold hardship to residents of these communities.

“Government is doing its best in ensuring provision of portable water to communities across the state in the interest of the health of the people and to boost the socio-economic development of the state.”

The manager called on Kokona and Keffi communities to be patient with government on the issue as government was doing its best to ensure that the pipes were repaired to ensure availability of water in affected areas.

According to him, provision of water to communities is vital to good living conditions and the improvement of the nation’s development in human health and nutrition.

Adigizi assured the communities of the board’s readiness to provide quality water to communities to meet their needs.

He also called on stakeholders in the water sector to support the State Government in its efforts to provide portable water to all communities in the state. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Al-Makura