By Dr Innocent Chidumebi Okonkwo
It was a celebration galore all over Otuocha communities in Anambra State as Otuocha regional Water scheme located in Aguleri now up and running.
According to the acting Director in the Water Resources Department of the Ministry of Power and Water Resources, Mr Victor Ezekwo, the project was part of the fulfilment of Governor Soludo's promise to end water scarcity in the area and the entire communities in Anambra State.
He added that the initial plan was to commence with a 5Km coverage but have now began to extend the coverage to additional 20km with over 50 fetching points across the region which comprises of Aguleri, Umuleri and Umuoba Anam.
On his own, the contractor who is handling the water project, Barr Ken Chinwuba stated that the Otuocha water scheme can still be extended above the current coverage of 20km and requested the support of the communities to ensure the equipment are secured and safe for the project to be sustained. He specifically urged the residence to ensure that no body tampers with the equipment and promised that with the cooperation of the residents that the water can be subscribed by the private residents in no distance time.
The supervisor of the project, Mr Maduabuchi Nwalieji popularly known as Mmilioma Bosch took the press around the water collection point at Odene Eziagulu where a lot of sophisticated equipment were installed.
Mmilioma Nwalieji said the Source of the water for the Scheme is Omambala River.
"The Scheme has a treatment plant with the capacity to treat over 10million litres of water per day"
"It has a distribution reservoir of 400cubic meters (100,000 gallons size) erected in front of Fr. Joseph Catholic Church, Aguleri. The total pipeline network laid is 5km around the 3towns (Aguleri, Umuleri and Umuoba Anam)".
"The Scheme also has a pontoon floating barge intake which will house the abstraction pumps mounted inside the river. It equally has a 500KVA generator set and Transformers respectively".
Looking at how fast the Anambra State Water Sector has developed in the recent times coupled with the high rate at which government has provided other WASH facilities across the communities, it is very pertinent to state unequivocally with a mind devoid of sentiments that Mr. Gov. Prof Charles Soludo is doing wonderfully well in the water sector of Anambra State through his Commissioner for power and water resources, Engr Julius Chukwuemeka Melikam.