The Anambra Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a quoted South African firm, EOH Industrial Technologies, for the revitalisation of the Onitsha Water Scheme at $44 million (N1.34bn).
Speaking at the occasion at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia near Awka on Thursday, Gov. Willie Obiano said the project would be carried out in three phases.
Obiano, who stated that the project would involve revitalisation and expansion of the Onitsha Water Scheme, added that this would entail conducting a feasibility study, inventory audit and calibration.
He said the intake facility at Nkpor water treatment plant and the Nkissi treatment plant at Onitsha would be reactivated.
The Governor said rehabilitation works would be carried out on the mains, pipelines, pumps, valves, reservoirs, boreholes and the reticulated tributaries to the households in all areas of Onitsha.
Obiano noted that the project was strategic to Onitsha, being one of the most populated towns in the country, and stressed the need to modernise infrastructure and other basic amenities in the area.
He said his administration’s desire was to revamp 376 moribund water schemes built by the previous administrations in partnership with the UNESCO.
The governor, who assured that most of the water schemes will become functional within four months, urged the South African firm to commence work immediately on the Onitsha Water Scheme.
Earlier, Igwe Cyril Enweze, Chairman, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), said when completed, the project would ensure provision of potable water to the people.
He expressed the hope that the provision of clean water would help to prevent water-borne diseases in the area.
Enweze, who is also the traditional ruler of Umuoji community, said the project would create 600 direct and 3, 000 indirect jobs and increase the state’s revenue generation.
The Managing Director of the investment company, Mr Mokosi Mokosi, assured that the partnership would meet water challenges of residents of Onitsha and its environs.
Also speaking, a Divisional Director of the firm, Mr Glen Benson, assured that they will deploy every resource within their disposal to achieve the successful implementation of the agreement.
The Commissioner for Power and Domestic Water Development, Mr Obi Nwankwo, who commended the governor for the initiative, disclosed that more than one million residents in Onitsha and environs would benefit from the project. (NAN)
OPC/MOL/MEMO