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Says Otamiri Headwaters turnaround maintenance completed
From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The state Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon Ozo Obinna Ogwuegbu, says that the current administration has continued to commit significant resources and efforts towards the revitalisation and maintenance of the state’s water infrastructure in its bid to ensure that every household enjoys clean and safe water from the confines of their homes.
He also said that Governor Uzodimma carried out a massive overhaul of the Otamiri Headworks, which is a key surface water source in the state, and that the government has equally embarked on strengthening the initiative of Water-Access-Sanitation-Hygiene (WASH) institutions through various reforms in policies.
Ogwuegbu, who disclosed this at a press conference at the weekend, said that the government, in its determination to provide clean and safe water for the people, has continued to commit huge resources in revitalising water schemes across the state and also providing 75 solar-powered boreholes to Owerri West, Owerri North, and Ngor Okpala councils.
He said: “Governor Uzodimma carried out a massive overhaul of the Otamiri Headworks, a key surface water source for the state. Otamiri waterworks now has state-of-the-art physiochemical and bacteriology laboratories for water analysis, testing, and treatment. It was abandoned until 2019 when Governor Uzodimma returned it to a standard water treatment plant with an installed capacity of 60 million litres of safe water per day.”
In a move to restore the state’s public water system, Governor Uzodimma’s administration undertook the comprehensive reactivation of the water supply and sanitation system at the popular Imo State Secretariat Complex, which had been abandoned since 2013.
This initiative not only improved public health but also contributed to the reduction of open defecation, thereby enhancing the overall hygiene of communities across the state. In the same year, the Uzodimma administration built more than 75 solar-powered water boreholes in Owerri North, Owerri West, and Ngor-Okpala LGAs as part of its 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 revitalisation.
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.
Continuing, Hon Ogwuegbu also said: “At the heart of the Governor’s concern is the Imo State University Water Scheme, where reticulation systems have been completed to service both male and female hostels. Many students, staff, and the management of the school have improved access to WASH services, all thanks to His Excellency!”
The administration, he said, has developed guidelines and a plan for baseline evaluation for the Nigeria Sustainable Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (NG-SURWASH) programme in 2022 and 2023.
“Through His Excellency’s sustainable reform, the Imo Water Law No 42 of 2019 and the Imo WASH Policy of 2019 are undergoing a comprehensive review. The reform in the PIR is expected to strengthen the capacity of the agencies and their staff in the WASH sector, thereby increasing access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services for the benefit of Imo’s population. As part of the Clean Nigeria Campaign (CNC), the government trained more than 2,700 youths in 27 local government areas on the value of using toilets.
This initiative empowered Imo youths to become ambassadors of WASH within their communities, contributing to the ongoing efforts to improve public health. Currently, the state government, through the Ministry of Water Resources, is prioritising the eradication of open defecation in line with the Presidential Executive Order on Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign. We are aware that Ezinihitte Local Government Area achieved the landmark status of being declared Open Defecation Free. This tangible milestone is serving as a trustworthy blueprint for other LGAs in the state to undergo the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) process for similar recognition. All thanks to Onwa Oyoko!
The state government has initiated workable partnerships with private sector stakeholders to construct inclusive, gender-friendly, and climate-resilient toilet facilities in public places. These efforts are part of a statewide rollout aimed at addressing sanitation gaps in schools, markets, motor parks, and other critical locations. Development partners, including USAID, OPS-WASH, and the World Bank, are among the key international stakeholders with whom the state government, through its Ministry of Water Resources, has consistently interacted.
“It is crucial to say that the Imo State Government, through the Ministry of Water Resources and its agencies, is not resting on its laurels. Governor Uzodimma has ambitious but realistic plans for the state’s water, sanitation, and hygiene. The groundwork has been established for the WASH sector in Imo to continue growing, with long-term solutions that will enhance public health, safety, and quality of life.”