Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
The multi-million naira automated Oferekpe mega water scheme in the Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi State has commenced operation.
The water project initiated by the 2nd civilian Governor of Ebonyi State, Martin Elechi, was abandoned in 2018, but the current government has revived it to solve the problem of water in the state.
Governor Nwifuru revived the company and the water scheme after procuring the equipment that was vandalized and looted by hoodlums.
Our reporter visited the Oferekpe water scheme on Wednesday and observed that the scheme is currently running skeletal operation, getting ready for full services in a few weeks.
Eric Alobu, the manager of the water scheme, during the visit, said the water that is currently being pumped in the water scheme is coming from the river connected to the water scheme.
The water scheme has processed one of the best waters so far.
“The last time this water treatment plant worked, was in 2018 when it was completed. Today, we are starting operation; it’s been a downtime.
” Before now, there was a problem; the problem is that the chemical outline there was not working, and it is part of what this very intervention has captured.
“Why it is as if we are not treating the water as it is supposed to be is that we are just filing the lines and washing the system”.
Alobu assured that the plant will be supplying water to Abakaliki, the state capital, all year round when it starts full opposition.
Jude Okpor, the state Commissioner for Information in the state, took journalists around the water scheme and said the present administration in the state had committed over N200 million to revive the moribund water scheme.
He said that even when the water scheme was completed in 2018, it was never put to use until the present administration in the state reactivated it after it was vandalized.
Adding that almost all the automation in the scheme was vandalized and looted.
“I can tell you authoritatively that the state government has committed over N200 million to this water scheme, but our joy today is that it has started working.
“This scheme, at its full operational level, can serve the entire state. The only challenge we are still experiencing right now is to make sure that the pipeline from the water scheme down to the reservoir in Abakaliki is free”,