In a bid to fast-track and meet the targets on the various projects jointly embarked upon by the State Government and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), Ebonyi State Chapter, through the Ministry of Water Resources, the Commissioner; Mrs. Euphemia Nwali, embarked on a tour of ongoing projects to see things for herself and give appraisal to work done so far.
She was accompanied in the tour by some of the Directors in the Ministry including the Director of Engineering Services, Engr. Alex Chukwu, the Director of Projects, Engr. Osmond Igwe, and a host of other engineers serving in the Ministry. They were all there to give insight into works done so far and the possible expectations in line with the mandate of the State Government to make water available to the people within the shortest feasible time.
It could be recalled that the State Government and the SDG Office, formally flagged-off a Projects tagged ‘2015 Water Projects’, on the 25th of August 2016. Shortly after the flag-off, Contractors were mobilized and project Sites handed over to them for the projects to be executed within targeted timeframe.
The team’s first point of call was the Rice Mills Cluster at Ikwo, where the State Government is constructing an impounded Water Project, meant for the supply of water to the newly installed Rice Parboiling Plant.
The Commissioner while commending the Engineers on site for the progress of works so far, frowned at one of the Excavators which was suppose to be working but was not as at the time of her visit but was made to understand that the said Excavator was actually working but just developed a minor fault which was being attended to almost immediately.
Shortly afterward while speaking with the Press Team who accompanied her in the tour, she expressed happiness in the progress of works so far but quickly added that there is a need to increase the number of equipment on site to enable the work to be done more quickly. In her words,”I must say, I’m impressed by the level of works done so far, but I think the work would be done much quicker if one or more Excavator is mobilized to compliment what is already on site”.
Speaking on behalf of the Engineers supervising the Project, the resident Engineer, Engr. Mbeke Peter Chukwudi, explained to the Press Team the essence of the project, and that going by the progress of work in the site, if additional equipment as suggested by the Hon. Commissioner could be provided to compliment the ones already available surely they will meet up with the time expected for the project to be delivered.
Next, the team as led by the Hon. Commissioner headed to Ezillo for a similar visit but this time to see the level of works done at the rehabilitation of the Ezillo Water Scheme preparatory to boosting and sustaining the supply of water to the people of the State particularly now that the dry season has set in.
Meanwhile, the Director of Project, Engr. Osmond Igwe queried the rationale behind flaunting his directive on inviting him to see and ascertain the status of repair works carried out on the Pumps before coupling it to ensure that proper work is done and to avoid mistakes of the past. Responding to him, the Contractor handling the project, LANA Construction Company, through one of its Head Personnel, Engr. Hope Benin-Unoho, assured him that they will not do a shoddy job as they are reputed for credibility even in their previous engagements, but however promised to henceforth invite him whenever such request is made subsequently.
While Speaking with the Press Team on behalf of Lana Construction Company, which is also handling the Projects at Old Abakaliki Water Scheme and the Ama-Ezekwe booster station at Onueke Ezza; Engr. Hope, commended the Ministry for given them the opportunity to partner with the State Government and the SDG’s, in the execution of the various projects the Company is handling in the State. He used the occasion to appeal to the State Government to release more funds to the Company to enable them keep the pace of work at the sites as the money previously released to them is already exhausted. This he said will help to facilitate the speed of the remaining works so they can deliver as targeted.
At the old Abakaliki Water Scheme, the Commissioner equally inspected the rehabilitation works going on there. The Head Engineer representing the LANA Construction Company here, Engr. Akintola Akeem, took the team round the facilities showing them the progress of works at the Scheme so far. He assured the Hon. Commissioner that in about a week the Facility will be fully operational for use. At the JuJu Hill pumping Station, Engr. Akeem, took the team to the Site of a newly installed 300KVA capacity transformer meant to boost the supply of power to the Station for optimal delivery.
The Commissioner was full of joy at the level of work attained there. She expressed optimism that with the speed of work at the Scheme, in no distant time water from the Station would be supplied to the people. Requesting her permission to evacuate water stored in the reservoir to enable the Contractor clean-up the tank for hygiene and safe health, the Commissioner responding in her usual magnanimity, asked the Operators to instead release the water to the People on Saturday for domestic use.
As the Hon. Commissioner and her team, continue these tours subsequently, I look forward to bringing updates on events to you.
To God be the glory!
By Nwanchor Sunday
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