From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has renewed hope for the revival of the abandoned Oji River Water Scheme as part of efforts to restore water reticulation to Oji town and surrounding communities.
Indications of the planned revitalisation emerged Wednesday when the Managing Director/Chairman of the Enugu State Water Corporation, Engr. Dr. Mike Nwachukwu, accompanied by Engr. Hilary Abaratu of TLD Global Services, paid a working visit to the Chairman of Oji River Local Government, Hon. Greg Anyaegbudike.
Engr. Dr. Mike Nwachukwu said the delegation was in Oji River to inspect existing facilities at the Oji water station and determine the requirements for its rehabilitation, with the aim of restoring water supply to the town and adjoining areas.
He disclosed that Governor Peter Mbah has already approved the rehabilitation of the Oji River Water Scheme.
The contractor, Engr. Hilary Abaratu, after the inspection, assured that a quality job would be delivered, noting that the facility also supports water supply to Enugu metropolis.
His words, “The Oji water Scheme is equally the scheme that augment the water that goes to Enugu. It is an augmentation scheme. The water is already there. The water comes out on its own naturally, but the pumping system that pushes water to the reservoir is not good, and we need to fix it. The generator is not good, the transformer is not good. Most of them have been vandalised. We are going to put them in order, so that we can push water to the reservoir. The integrity of the reservoir is good enough. The reservoir is at the highest point in Oji River. Once we push water to the reservoir, the system will have water”, Engr. Abaratu explained.
He promised that his company would do its best to ensure water supply is restored in Oji River.
In his remarks, the Oji River Local Government Chairman, Hon. Anyaegbudike, assured the team of maximum cooperation from the council.
He stated, “As a responsible Local Government Council, we are committed to supporting this project for the good of our people. We will come out and do our bit.
“We are hoping that very soon issue of water scarcity in Oji River will be a thing of the past.
“The people of Oji River will greatly benefit from improved treated and potable water supply. This means better health, more businesses will improve, and life will get easier for residents of Oji River.
” I mentioned that we have Oji River Urban Master Plan which will be made available to Water Corporation for effective water reticulation.
“We appreciate His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, our visionary Governor for his commitment to remove poverty in Enugu State and better the lives of our people. The people of Oji River will remain grateful to His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for approving the restoration of Oji River Water Scheme, which will greatly impact lives”, Anyaegbudike buttressed.
