From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The Oferekpe mega water scheme in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi State has commenced operation seven years after it was completed but was not put to use.
The multi-billion water scheme was constructed by Chief Martin Elechi, the second civilian governor of the state.
Elechi also built a multi-billion pipe production company for the production of pipes for water reticulation but the water scheme and the pipe production company were vandalized and looted by criminals during the last administration of David Umahi who is now Minister of Works.
Governor Francis Nwifuru revived the company and the water scheme after procuring the equipment that was looted.
While the pipe production company has commenced operation producing different pipes, the Oferekpe water scheme has started skeletal operation, getting ready for full services.
The manager of the water scheme, Eric Alobu said the water that is currently being pumped in the water scheme, is coming from the the river connected to the water scheme.
He explained that the water scheme has processed one of the best waters so far.
“The last time this water treatment plant worked, was in 2018 when it was completed. Today, we are starting operation, it’s been a downtime.
“Before now, there was a problem, the problem is that the chemical outline there was not working and it is part of what this very intervention has captured.
“Why it is as if we are not treating the water as it is supposed to be is that we are just filing the lines and washing the system”.
He assured that the plant will be lifting water to Abakaliki, the state capital all year round.
Conducting journalists around the water scheme, the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor said the present administration in the state has committed over N200 million to the reactivation of the water scheme.
He opined that even when the water scheme was completed in 2018, it was never put to use until the present administration in the state reactivated it after it was vandalized.
He disclosed that almost all the automation in the scheme was vandalized and looted.
“I can tell you authoritatively that the state government has committed over N200 million to this water scheme but our joy today is that it has started working.
“This scheme at its full operational level, can serve the entire state. The only challenge we still experiencing right now is to make sure that the pipeline from the water scheme down to the reservoir in Abakaliki is free”, he said.
The Commissioner averred that the water scheme will soon start supplying water to the state capital.