By Chinonso Alozie

Owerri – The Imo state government on Monday said it has increased access to water for rural communities by rehabilitating the Otammiri water headworks after it was abandoned for 28 years.

The state Commissioner for Water Resources, Ozo Obinna Ogwuegbu, disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri.

He said the reason it was revived was to improve access to clean and hygienic water for rural communities in the state.

However, the government was not happy while recalling that the water scheme which was built by former Imo state governor, Samuel Mbakwe, “Years later, the same Otamiri Treatment Plant degenerated into a site for open grazing and open defecation as a result of poor maintenance, maladministration and abandonment.

“Yes, the site became an open defecation and open grazing site in 2019 until Governor Hope Uzodimma returned it to a standard water treatment plant with installed capacity of 60 million litres of safe water daily. Otamiri Headworks was the first public facility Governor Uzodimma visited upon assuming office.

“The first tenure of the Shared Prosperity Government saw the turnaround rehabilitation of the waterworks which included the construction of perimeter block fence, procurement of laboratory equipments and reagents, a replacement of 26 year-old 6 numbers vertical turbine pumps with modern digital vertical turbine pumps and accessories, installation of insertion meters to measure daily quantity of raw water abstraction from Otamiri River and corresponding consumers, rehabilitation of the low-lift and the high-lift pumping stations, among other crucial”.

Highlighting the major works the Uzodimma administration embarked upon, he listed as follows, the “Repairs of water pipelines, provision of an engineering workshop and procurement of its tools. 2) Two(2) KM internal road networks was constructed for the waterworks, Stready internet access was provided to enhance real-time online water quality testing, analysis, surveillance, monitoring and solar streetlights were also installed at strategic locations within the treatment plants, and the dilapidated staff quarters were rehabilitated among others.

“This overhaul ensured a reliable and sustainable water supply for the Headworks, which houses several critical government offices. Indeed, Governor Uzodimma did the first major rehabilitation of the waterworks after 28 years of despair. In 2022, Imo State was awarded a certificate as a Utility of the Future (UoF) by the World Bank. Recognitions from local and international bodies highlight Governor Uzodimma’s commitment in restoring and maintaining the dignity of WASH sector to enhance the state’s ability to provide clean water to its growing population”.

He added that in “2021, the Uzodimma administration built more than 75 solar-powered water boreholes in Owerri North, Owerri West, and Ngor-Okpala LGAs as part of continuous efforts to enhance rural communities’ access to water.

“Rehabilitation of Key Water Schemes: A Priority for Rural Communities (2020-2024) Another essential component of Governor Uzodimma’s Development Agenda on WASH has been the restoration of the current water systems. Numerous rural water schemes are currently undergoing revitalization. These include the restoration of the water schemes at Imo State University, Orji, Oleme-Amuifeke, Eluama Orlu, Amiri, Ubomiri, Dikenafai, Uguta, and Eke Ngwuru. Of these projects, three are nearing completion”.

“These vital projects when completed will increase access to water supply, sanitation and hygiene services in both urban and rural regions. In the heart of the Governor is Imo State University Water Scheme, where reticulation systems have being completed to service both male and female hostel. At the time of this publication, many students and even though the IMSU Water Scheme is receiving a facelift, many students, staff and management of the school have improved access to WASH services, all thanks to His Excellency” he concluded.