Local Government and Water Supply Management in Ebonyi State: A Study of Abakaliki Local Government Area

This study examines the role of local government authorities in the provision and management of potable water supply in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria. Access to clean water remains a critical development challenge in Ebonyi State, with many households depending on unprotected wells, streams, and boreholes that are susceptible to contamination, exposing communities to waterborne diseases and undermining productive capacity. The study employs a descriptive survey design, collecting primary data from 200 respondents including community households, local government water board officials, and public health workers. The Human Development Framework and the Integrated Water Resources Management Model provide the theoretical basis. Secondary data is obtained from the Ebonyi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, the National Water Resources Institute, and recent academic literature on water governance in South East Nigeria. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis are employed to test the hypothetical relationship between local government investment in water infrastructure and access rates. Expected findings indicate that chronic underfunding, aging infrastructure, and poor maintenance culture are the primary barriers to adequate water supply in Abakaliki. Recommendations include establishment of dedicated water infrastructure maintenance funds, community-managed water points with trained operators, and a local government-civil society partnership framework for water supply monitoring. Keywords: Water supply, local government, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, rural development.