By Fatima
The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources has commissioned multiple projects in the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority, (AIRBDA) Owerri, Imo State in continuation of the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians and in line with President Buhari’s promise to lift 100 million out of poverty in ten years.
The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu, on Thursday in Imo State, commissioned 500, 000 litres per day Ezealakpaka Water Supply Scheme, Ehime Mbano, saying that the Water Scheme with a total design capacity of 500, 000 litres per day would serve over 10,000 people of the Community and its environs.
According to him, the contract for the Water Scheme was executed within the contract duration by Messrs Roudo (Nig) Ltd which has major elements of works as follows: Drilling of 6N0s Boreholes, Construction of 500 cubic meters still ground water storage tanks, Construction of 250 cubic meters elevated Water tank on 18m Stanchion, Construction of Solar Powered Pumping system, Construction of 22 km reticulation Network, Supply and installation of 50 cubic meter/h Water Treatment Plant and, Supply of 18N0s of 60 Watts all in one Solar lightning system.
Engr Adamu, added that the quality of the treated Water from the scheme has been subjected to laboratory testing and found to meet National and International standards for drinking water.
Speaking further, he noted that to ensure sustained management and maintenance of the Water Scheme, some of the community members had been trained on various aspects of running the scheme by the Contractor as part of his contractual obligations.
The Minister informed that the Federal Government’s Water Supply intervention in Imo State was not limited to the Ezealakpaka Water Supply Project. Other intervention projects include the Inyinshi Water Supply Project and others in the different LGAs.
He enjoined the State Government to own the projects and ensure that its relevant Agencies sustainably operate and maintain the water supply facilities in order to provide long term services to the people.
In a related development, the minister commissioned another stream of projects executed by the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority in Owerri, which are located within the perimeter premises of the AIRBDA included the ANIM Basin Water Factory, Integrated Palm Oil Mill, Integrated Songhai farm which has different sections as the Vegetables, Fishery, poultry, piggery, Grass Cutter, Goat and Cattle ranch.
Other projects commissioned are the newly renovated Police Station, newly constructed training center and the Multi- Purpose Hall.
In his address, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his Administration’s numerous infrastructure presence in Imo State.
The Governor further urged the minister to expand the water projects in order to benefit other adjoining communities.
Earlier, the Managing Director, AIRBDA, Engr. Gerrard Osuagwu who was very elated stated that all the projects commissioned by the Honourable Minister were pro- people projects and initiated purposely to positively impact the lives of the people of the Communities.
He reiterated that the projects would create wealth, provide jobs for the teaming youth and generate internal revenue for the AIRBDA. He noted that he expanded the Songhai farm into an integrated system where no produce is lost, in that what is got in one chain would be used in another.
On the winning strategies of the minister, he said “the minister has passion for whatever is doing. He has “can do Spirit”, and he is someone who wants to achieve at all costs, someone who makes sure that all the people working with him will follow instructions and achieve targets”.