The Ebonyi State Ministry of Water Resources was created shortly after the inauguration of the administration of His Excellency, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, in 2015.
Prior to its creation, the Ministry was only a parastatal, known then as the Ebonyi State Water Corporation and was under the Ministry of Public Utilities. It was the need to bolster its operation to address the water needs of the State that necessitated its creation hence the Ministry's multi-faceted drive to achieve its objectives under its current Commissioner, Hon. Mrs. Euphemia Nwali.
The Water Resources Ministry unlike other Ministries, is characteristically very challenging. This is why the current administration should be commended for its efforts in giving it the needed priorities it requires to thrive successfully. It is strongly believed that if the current tempo is sustained in the activities of the Ministry, within a short-while the problem of scarcity and robust distribution of water in the State would have been overcome.
ACHIEVEMENTS
I. WATER PIPELINE RETICULATION:
The water pipelines in the Abakaliki Capital City were laid over 30 years ago. These pipes are either asbestos(AC) or galvanized iron(GI) pipes. They have all outlived their lifespans, resulting in frequent pipe bursts whenever water is introduced in them. On assumption of office in May 29, 2015, the present Administration thought it wise and embarked on total replacement of all these outdated water pipelines, with High Density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, which is the latest technology in water pipes production. This exercise was not just restricted to replacing the outdated pipelines; areas that hitherto had no water pipelines have also been covered to further make potable water reachable to the people . Over 40 Streets, covering a total distance of 29.8 Kilometers, have so far been laid with new water pipelines.
SOME OF THE STREETS AND AREAS WHICH HAVE BEEN COVERED IN THIS EXERCISE FROM MAY 2016 TO DATE INCLUDE:
FETHA 1, Police Headquarters, Government House, Prisons Line, Udensi Junior Quarters, Ebonyi Voice, Otozie, Ukanwoke, Augustine Eze, Eze Ugwu-Achara road, Mbam Agbo, Ngozi Obichukwu, Nwofia, Nwambara road, Ohatekwe road, Oti, Akaeze, Nwankwo, Mbanefo, Ezeke-Ikwo, Nwodo, Amagu, St. Margret Umahi, Offia Nwali, Adol Awam, Nise, Liberation Estate, Itapa Azobu and the Anglican church headquarters, Abakaliki, just to mention a few. Massive pipe laying works are still on-going in many streets in the Capital City.
II. CONSTRUCTION OF WATER TREATMENT PLANT AT ISHIAGU:
The Ishiagu Community and indeed entire Ivo Local Government Area, have no existing Water Treatment Plant. Consequent to this development, the people of this Community are subjected to an untold hardship sourcing for water for their daily needs. It is for this reason, the Administration of Engr. David Nweze Umahi, being a visionary and people oriented leader; in 2016, embarked on the construction of a Water Treatment Plant at Ishiagu. This water treatment plant when completed will have a production capacity of 16,000 Cubic Meter per day and will put to an end the sufferings of the Ishiagu people in respect of water needs. Work in this project is currently in progress and have reached over 30 percent completion and His excellency is bent on sustaining the tempo of work till its completion.
III. REHABILITATION OF EZILLO, OLD ABAKALIKI AND UBURU WATER SCHEMES; INCLUDING THE OVERHAULING OF EXISTING BOOSTERS STATIONS, ETC.:
The Ezillo Regional Water Scheme is presently operating below 20 percent of its installed capacity. Realizing the importance of Ezillo Water Treatment Plant to the water needs of the residence of Abakaliki Capital City, the Administration of Engr. David Nweze Umahi, in collaboration with Sustainable Development Goal's (SDG's), Ebonyi State; awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of not just the Ezillo Regional Water Scheme but also the Old Abakaliki and Uburu Water Schemes, including the overhauling of the Sakamori booster stations at Ezzamgbo and the one in Abakaliki Capital City. These rehabilitations are aimed at recovering the lost production capacities of these facilities to boost the supply of potable water in the State. The collaboration with the SDG'S, is equally constructing and delivering to the people of Ezicha Community in Izzi L.G.A and Agu-Ugwu Community in Ohaozara L.G.A. a water reservoir each, to make water supply more readily available and accessible to the people of these areas. So far the works at these facilities have reached advanced level and still progressing.
IV. WATER SUPPLY TO THE 13 GENERAL HOSPITALS IN THE STATE:
Prior to the inception of the present Administration, the 13 General hospitals scattered across the State had no sustainable water supply source. On the assumption of office and in realization of the importance of water to these general hospitals; the Administration of Engr. David Nweze Umahi, embarked on the drilling of boreholes and construction of overhead tanks in each of these General hospitals. This project has since been completed and all the 13 General hospitals now have functional water supply sources.
V. PURCHASE OF DRILLING RIGS:
The Ebonyi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (EB-RUWASSA), which is an Agency under the Ministry of Water Resources charged with the responsibility of providing water needs of the people in the rural areas, does not have a functional water Drilling Rig. Consequently, it is relatively difficult for the Ministry to meet the water supply needs of the rural dwellers. In realization of this, His excellency, ordered for two Drilling Rigs from India, for use by the Ministry. One of the two rigs, have arrived Nigeria and is awaiting clearing at the Wharf.
VI. CONSTRUCTION OF WATER STORAGE TANKS AT ONU-IGBOJI, IBOKO AND OSO-EDDA RICE MILL CLUSTERS:
The operation of the newly installed rice parboiling machines at the three Rice Mill Industrial Clusters, in Onu-Igboji; Ikwo, Iboko; Izzi and Oso-Edda; Afikpo-South, was hampered by the absence of water storage facilities. To address this challenge therefore, His Excellency, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, ordered for the construction of three water storage tanks and reinforced concrete base in each of these Industrial Clusters to facilitate their operations. These projects have since been completed.
VII. WATER SUPPLY TO THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED ROUNDABOUT FOUNTAINS:
The Five(5) water fountains in the Abakaliki Capital City are supplied water regularly through the construction of water boreholes and overhead tanks as directed by His Excellency. These are located at Udensi Roundabout, Government House Roundabout, Abacha Roundabout, Dr. Akanu Ibiam Roundabout and Presco Roundabout.
VIII. WATER SUPPLY TO THE EBONYI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY:
The Ebonyi State House of Assembly presently enjoys uninterrupted water supply. This is courtesy of the construction of a dedicated borehole and overhead tank in the Complex.
IX. WATER SUPPLY TO AZUOFIA-EDDA:
As part of its commitment to make water extensively available to the people of the rural Communities, the Ministry of Water Resources provided water Borehole to Azuofia-Eda Community in Abakaliki L.G.A. This is to take care of the water shortage characterized in the area.
3. SUMMARY:
It is the desire of every responsible government to meet the needs of its people. Failing to achieve such needs, especially the fundamental ones such as the production and distribution of potable water, leaves incurable lacuna in the overall performance of such government. The Ebonyi State Government is doing all it could to achieve its water target, and it is hopefully believe that when all the efforts in this regard are successfully completed and delivered to the people, the shortcomings in the production and distribution of potable water in the State would have been fully eradicated and its sustainability achieved.
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