Illegal connection of water pipeline attracts 15-yrs imprisonment in Nasarawa – Commissioner

The Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development in Nasarawa State, Dr Ab­dulkarim Kana, has said that 15-year imprisonment awaits anybody in the habit of illegal connection of pipe borne wa­ter without necessary approval from the state government.

Briefing newsmen on illegal connection of pipe borne wa­ter and other facilities by some people in the state, he said the act has contributed in no small measure in affecting sufficient supply of water to some of the major cities of Kokona, Keffi and even part of Akwanga.

He said that the Public Amenities Protection Law is to protect the state govern­ment’s water facilities and other assets, even as he urged those who are in the habit of connecting water supply to their houses illegally to desist or would face the full wrath of the law when the state House of Assembly passes the law.

“At times, the problem of water supply is that there are so many people who tapped and connected water supply to their houses and other places illegally without authorisation by the state water board.

“The state government had made efforts quite a number of times to disconnect all ille­gal connection of water supply by people but each time these pipelines are disconnected, these people will go back to reconnect them again thereby affecting water supply.

“At the moment, there is no clear law which makes it a crime for people who tapped and connected water illegally, so the best we can do is that when we discover that there is illegal connection of water, we disconnect those pipelines.”