Dr Odo inaugurates Greater Ukehe Water Scheme, reticulates 17 water galleries in Igbo-Etiti LGA
The Chairman, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, Dr Eric Odo, has inaugurated the revitalised Greater Ukehe Water Scheme and the reticulation of 17 water pump galleries in communities within the council area.
Odo accompanied by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Ben-Collins Ndu, and Mrs Chika Mbah, Managing Director, Enugu State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (EN-RUWASSA), performed the inauguration at the weekend.
It would be recalled that the multi-million-naira Greater Ukehe Water Scheme was first inaugurated in 1995 and functioned until 2011 when the pump stopped working.
Odo said that the project was in fulfillment of Gov. Peter Mbah’s campaign promise to the people of Igbo-Etiti East Development Centre in 2022.
He explained that the revitalised water scheme would provide steady water supply to Ukehe and other neighbouring communities, while the newly reticulated 17 water galleries spanning more than 6-kilometre on Old Federal Road would make water easily accessible to residents.
According to him, when I resumed office in September 2024, I made a solemn promise to end the long years of water scarcity in Igbo-Etiti Council Area.
He said, “Today, we are witnessing the result of that commitment and it is a dream come true for our people.
“This revitalised Greater Ukehe Water Scheme will provide potable water to our people and improve the quality of life in our communities.
“These water galleries are strategically located to ensure that no resident walks a long distance to fetch water. This is about making life easier for our people.
“Access to clean water is not a privilege, it is a right and our administration is determined to make that a reality.”
Odo reiterated that the project was carefully executed to ensure durability and maximum reach, with the 17 water galleries reticulated to serve households in the council area.
The chairman said that his administration was determined to ensure that every community in Igbo-Etiti council area has a functional water source; adding that other water projects in the council area would soon receive attention.
Speaking, the Contractor of the project, Dr Chibuike Iyi, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, assuring that the facility was built to standard and would serve the people for many years.
“We used quality materials and modern technology to ensure the system was efficient and long-lasting.
“This project reflects the commitment of the local government chairman to deliver sustainable infrastructure,” Iyi said.
In his remark, the Enugu State Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Ben-Collins Ndu, commended the state governor and the council chairman for undertaking such a huge project for the benefit of the people.
Ndu called on the residents of the benefiting communities to protect the project from vandals in order for them enjoy the facility for a long time.
The Managing Director of EN-RUWASSA, Mrs Chika Mbah, called on the benefiting communities to take full ownership of the project and protect the investment to ensure sustainability.
Responding, some of the residents of the benefitting communities, including Mrs Chioma Eneh and Mr Linus Nwaeze, thanked Gov. Mbah and Odo for “the positive and people-oriented gesture” of provision of potable drinking water in their communities.
“We thank God for the gift of Gov. Mbah and Dr Odo for keeping to their promises of providing us with access to clean water, which has ended the problem of water scarcity in Ukehe and environs,’’ Eneh said.
The high points of the event were the inauguration of 17 water galleries in Ukehe, which are located at Amauwani Gallery Point, Ekechara Market Gallery Point, Ugwu Ogbomogu Gallery Point and 14 others.
