By Paul Nwosu
The people of Anambra State can heave a sigh of relief as they now have access to clean functional tap water, thanks to the statewide water revolution by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR.
Engr Julius Chukwuemeka, Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, recently gave an update on the ongoing rehabilitation of the urban and rural water projects. The people can now say bye-bye to water-borne diseases and trekking long distances to fetch water.
Anambra is one State that has not been affected by the Cholera epidemic that ravaged some parts of the country. And this can rightly be attributed to Governor Soludo’s aggressive rehabilitation, reactivation, reticulation and fresh deployments of portable water facilities where none existed in the State’s local government areas and communities.
Giving an account on the provision of clean water to Ndi-Anambra, the Commissioner said the resuscitation of the Greater Awka Water Scheme is at 95 percent completion stage. Water generation has been 100 percent completed with 10 boreholes at Aroma and 11 boreholes at Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS). Three sources of power have been installed and are functional – EEDC, Generator and Solar. This is to ensure the ceaseless supply of water.
Reticulation work, currently ongoing around the Ifite axis has reached Wintess Garden while the Awka Main side has reached Eke Awka. All together, about 15km of reticulation has been undertaken. Renovation of the Water Corporation Headquarters is at an advanced stage. Some 34 fetching points have been done. A tentative date for commissioning has been fixed for the 2nd week of September 2024.
He disclosed that the rehabilitation/reactivation of components of Greater Onitsha Water Supply Scheme stands at 80 percent completion status. The 6 out of 7 industrial boreholes working with 50HP pumps have been developed and are currently working.
Engr. Chukwuemeka also stated that the rehabilitation/reactivation of components of the Greater Onitsha Water Supply Scheme – GRA Borehole and Packaged Treatment System is at 60 percent completion stage.
According to him, the rehabilitation/reactivation of components of Greater Onitsha Water Supply Scheme – Terminal Reservoir, Army Barracks, Onitsha is 85 percent completed.
The Commissioner confirmed that the rehabilitation/reactivation of the Otuocha Water Scheme is 85 percent completed. The original 5km pipeline reticulation network has been 100 percent restored.
Others include the rehabilitation/reactivation of the Obizi Regional Water Scheme which is 50 percent done, and the rehabilitation/reactivation of the Nnewi Urban Water Scheme is 85 percent done.
In the Small Town Water Supply Scheme (STWSS) category, the rehabilitation of Agulu-Aguiyi Small Town Water Supply Scheme is at 65 percent of completion.
The rehabilitation/reactivation and management of Nkpologwu STWSS had been completed and the technical handover done.
Other Small Town Water Schemes nearing completion include: Obosi, Umunze, Akwu-ukwu, Achalla, Ozubulu, Azigbo, Omasi-Agu, Mkpunando, Ihiala, Abube Agu Nando, Ukpo and Osomalla.
The progress thus far shows that well over 55 out of the 68 Rural Water Schemes have been completed. The rest are at different stages of completion.
Solution is definitely here on the potable water front via the mandate of the Solution Governor.
PAUL NWOSU is the Commissioner for Information, Anambra State
