By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Residents of Anambra State have been charged to always protect and take full ownership of government property in their areas by shielding them from vandals.

This formed the focus of discussion at a one-day stakeholders’ interaction on the ongoing rehabilitation of the Obizi Spring Water Scheme, held over the weekend at Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Headquarters.

The event whichh was organized by the Anambra State Ministry of Power and Water Resources, in collaboration with the Anambra State Urban Water Asset Holdings Corporation (ASUWAHC), drew the participation of Traditional Rulers and President-Generals of the various communities in Aguata and parts of Orumba.

The event primarily featured deliberations on sustainability of the Obizi Water Scheme, located at Obizi in Uga community and serving the water needs of the people of Aguata communities and some other neighbouring communities in the area.

Addressing the participants, the MD/CEO, Anambra State Urban Water Asset Holdings Corporation, Hon. Ikeobi Ejiofor, who spoke on the theme of the event —“Community Partnership for a Secured and Sustainable Pipe-borne Water Supply” said the goal was to engage and remind the community members of their role in securing and ensuring the sustainability of the moribund Obizi Regional Water Scheme, which the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led state government has approved and commenced its resuscitation.

According to him, the need for the communities’ involvement in all stages of the rehabilitation project cannot be overemphasized, noting that any developmental project without the involvement of the beneficiaries can never see the light of the day.

He hailed the Transition Committee Chairman of the local government, Hon. Chibuike Ofobuike for his efforts so far in ensuring the safety of the Water Scheme’s pipes that were exhumed because of the ongoing construction of Ekwulobia Flyover.

Ejiofor further advised every community to protect and ensure the success of the project and its facilities, for the overriding interest of the public.

He urged communities In the area to also provide a contact person for quicker relation between them and the government whenever the need arises.

The MD also provided the phone number: 09028421221, and the email address:aswrmo.asuwahc@anambra.gov.ngfor people to call for complains and report any illegalities or abnormalities observed on water facilities in their area.

Earlier in his address, the Transition Committee Chairman for Aguata Local Government Area, Hon. Ofobuike, commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for approving the rehabilitation of the project, even as he also commended the Ministry of Power and Water Resources, and the ASUWAHC for their visible efforts so far on the project.

He gave assurance of total support to ensure the project succeeds.

Giving an overview of the water scheme, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Victor Ezekwo, explained that Obizi is a natural spring water that has been in existence for decades and has passed through many administrations before the incumbent administration of Governor Soludo moved to revamp it.

Going down memory lane, he recounted how experts from the European Union (EU) who did the last rehabilitation on the water scheme in 2017 tested and certified it very pure and potable, without any contamination at all, adding that the Scheme also has the capacity to yield 7000 cubic meters per hour to him.

He, however, said the water scheme has remained unfunctional as a result of the activities of the vandals who plundered the facility.

While highlighting the beneficiary communities in the project to include Ekwulobia, Umuchu, Akpo, Aguluezechukwu, Achina, Ezinifite, Uga, Ikenga, Igbo-ukwu, Amesi, Isuofia, Oraeri, Nkpologwu, Umuona, and Nanka; Mr. Ezekwo called on the residents to ensure the project and its facilities are well secured this time after rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka in his speech, condemned the attitude of people who vandalize facilities government spent huge amount of money to establish for their own benefits, describing it as unfortunate, irresponsibility and pure sabotage of government’s developmental efforts.

While thanking the people of Aguata for giving the state their son, Prof. Soludo, as Governor, whom he also described as a national asset; he urged them to always support the Soludo Administration to succeed.