Going memory lane, experts from the European Union (EU) did the last rehabilitation of the Obizi Water Scheme in the Uga community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra state in 2017, tested, and certified it pure and potable, without any contamination.
The water scheme also can yield 7000 cubic meters per hour but has remained nonfunctiocanthe activities of the vandals who plundered the facility.
The beneficiary communities in the project included Ekwulobia, Umuchu, Aguluezechukwu, Akpo, Achina, Ezinifite, Uga, Ikenga, Igbo-Ukwu, Amesi, Isuofia, Oraeri, Nkpologwu, Umuona and Nanka.
Mr Victor Ezekwo, Permanent Secretary of the Anambra State Ministry of Power and Water Resources, gave an overview of the water scheme, at a one-day stakeholders interaction on the ongoing rehabilitation of the Spring Water Scheme, held recently at Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Headquarters.
He explained that Obizi is a natural spring water that has been in existence for decades and has passed through many administrations before the incumbent administration of Governor Soludo, who moved to revamp it.
The event organized by the Anambra State Ministry of Power and Water Resources, in collaboration with the Anambra State Urban Water Asset Holdings Corporation (ASUWAHC), drew the participation of Traditional Rulers and President-Generals of the various communities in Aguata and parts of Orumba.
It primarily featured deliberations on the sustainability of the Obizi Water Scheme and the water-serving needs of the people of Aguata communities and some other neighbouring communities in the area.
Hon. Ikeobi Ejiofor, MD/CEO of Anambra State Urban Water Asset Holdings Corporation addressing the participants on the theme of the “Community Partnership for a Secured and Sustainable Pipe-borne Water Supply”, said the aim was to engage and remind the community members of their role in securing and ensuring the sustainability of the moribund Obizi Regional Water Scheme, which the Soludo-led state government has approved and commenced its resuscitation.
According to him, the need for the communities’ involvement in all stages of the rehabilitation project cannot be communities, as any developmental project without the involvement of the beneficiaries can never see the light of day.
While commending, Hon. Chibuike Ofobuike, Transition Committee Chairman of the local government for his efforts so far in ensuring the safety of the Water Scheme’s pipes that were exhumed as a result of the ongoing construction of Ekwulobia Flyover; Ejiofor also advised every community to protect and ensure the success of the project and its facilities, for the overriding interest of the public.
He further urged every community to also provide a contact person for quicker relations between them and the government whenever the need arises, even as he also provided the phone number: 09028421221, and the email address: [email protected] for complaints and report on any illegalities or abnormalities observed on water facilcomplaintstheir area.
Earlier, Hon. Ofobuike, Chairman of Aguata Local Government Area commended the governor for approving the rehabilitation of the project, even as he also commended the Ministry of Power and Water Resources, and the ASUWAHC for their visible efforts so far on the project, while also assuring of total support to enable the project to succeed.
Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, however, condemned the attitude of people who vandalize facilities government spends huge amounts of money to establish for their benefit, describing such as unfortunate, irresponsibility and pure sabotage of the government’s developmental efforts.
The Commissioner noted that the Soludo Administration has proved to be very intentional about the all-round development of the state and improvement of the welfare of the masses, as evidenced in the various developmental projects so far executed by him, including water facilities scattered around different parts of the State.
He said the governor, understanding the need to engage and carry the community people along in every developmental project meant for them, jettisoned the old Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, and introduced the Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP) model, which necessitated the event.
While thanking the people of Aguata for giving the state their son, Soludo, as governor, whom he also described as a national asset; he went further to urge them to always support the Soludo Administration to succeed, including through ensuring the protection of government facilities in their areas.
He also warned against indulging in anything capable of slowing down the actualization of the Governor’s vision of making Anambra a livable and prosperous homeland.
Aside from further insights on the progress and the challenges encountered so far in the rehabilitation of the project, as were provided by a representative of the contracting firm (One Dot Associates Ltd.), Engr. Ndubuisi Ezeokoli; the event also featured a question and answer session, where the community leaders aired their views, made inquiries, got clarifications, and also robbed minds together with the government officials best to enhance the execution, protection and sustainable operation of the project.
