Photo Credit: ABS News
As part of the State government’s efforts to reposition the Water sector, Commissioner for Public Utilities and Water Resources, Mr Emeka Ezenwanne has said the State government is taking measures to sustain the development of the State’s Water Sector.
Mr Ezenwanne who was a guest on the ABS Radio/TV live audience participatory programme ISSUES asserted that giant strides have been taken to reposition the sector, particularly the recently commissioned Regional Water Supply schemes: The Obizi Water Scheme at Uga with source from the Obizi Spring Water, and the Otuocha Regional Water Scheme.
According to Commissioner Ezenwanne, the Obizi Water Scheme is being reticulated to about forty five kilometers covering eighteen communities while the Otuocha regional water scheme will cover Aguleri, Umueri and Umuoba Anam. As a matter of fact, it is the first time people of the area would experience public water supply in history.
Furthermore, he stated that at the moment, Governor Willie Obiano, through the Anambra State Executive Council has approved the conccessioning of the Greater Onitsha Water Scheme under a Public Private Partnership arrangement to enssure its effective resuscitation and efficient water supply to Onitsha and environs.
Mr Ezenwanne also said that State government has provided about one hundred water facilities to communities in conjunction the UNICEF and the European Union, Ninety Five Solar Powered Boreholes to various communities and Water installations in Five major markets, among others.
According to Dr. Emma Ezenwaji, another guest on the programme who is the Director, Water Resources Building Network And Climate Change, South East and a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka , there is the need for a strong collaboration with benefiting communities by establishing Water Facilities Management committies for the towns to take ownership of the projects to ensure sustainability.
Dr Ezenwaji also revealed that the Federal Government of Nigeria has selected the Nnamdi Azikiwe University as the Water Resources and Climate Change Center for the South East Zone among five other universities in other zones of the country.
He added that from all reports and indications, Anambra State is ahead of other states in the zone due to it’s pragmatic approach to regional and other water supply strategies.
InlandTown! 2020
