A Federal Government initiated Water Scheme located at Ezeala Akpaka, Umueze 1 in Ehime-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State was on Thursday handed over to the Imo State Government after it was commissioned by the Minister of Water Resources, Eng. Suleiman Adamu, assisted by Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Addressing the people at the handover and commissioning ceremony at Umueze 1, Governor Uzodimma thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for granting approval that the project be located in Imo State and assured that it will be protected by the people.
The Governor said that the project was one of the numerous projects President Buhari was gracious to grant their approval and location in Imo and said the people of the State will remain grateful to him.
He reminded the audience that the Water project belongs to the community and the entire Okigwe zone and urged the community members who turned out in good number to protect the project and ensure it is not vandalised by thieves and criminals.
The Governor said that he had it on good authority that the Water project was originally conceived to serve 200,000 households but what is on ground can only serve 50,000 households and pleaded with the Minister of Water Resources to endeavour to ensure that the remaining 150,000 households are not denied the opportunity of drinking healthy water.
He thanked the Minister for personally coming to commission the project and for his efforts in the Inyishi Mega Water Scheme in Ikeduru, noting that reports before him indicate that the “Inyishi Water Scheme can still be completed by this administration.”
In his address, the Minister thanked the Governor for all his support towards the success of the project.
He said that Imo State is one of the States in Nigeria to benefit from the World Bank Sustainable Water Scheme.
Adamu joined the Governor in asking the community to protect the project “because government will not be always there to protect the project.”
He informed that the investment in the Water Scheme is huge and the benefits are enormous.
The Managing Director of Anambra Imo River Basin Authority thanked the Minister for making the project a reality. He also thanked the Governor for the conducive environment he created and the community, for providing their land for the project.
He further thanked President Buhari for the approval to locate the project in Imo State in general and at Ezeala Akpaka in Ehime-Mbano LGA of Imo State Nigeria in particular.
Earlier, the Imo State Commissioner for Water Resources, Lady Ann Dozie had assured that the Scheme will be reticulated and protected.
She thanked the Governor for the opportunity and all the necessary support that made the project come to fruition.
The Governor was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Bar Nnamdi Anyaehie and members of the Expanded Executive Council.