The Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly and member representing Aniocha North Constituency, Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi on Monday, September 18, 2023, embarked on an on the spot assessment of the water projects in Issele-Uku and Onicha-Olona communities in Aniocha North LGA, in order to ascertain their levels of functionality.
His visit was also to draw government immediate attention to areas impeding the normal functioning of the projects, so as to vigorously pursue their repairs and get them back on track.
At the Issele-Uku Water Project site, where he was accompanied by the Commissioners for Water Resources, Dr. Isaac Whickie, Environment, Mr. Ejiro Jamani and Science and Technology, Mr. Daniel Odinigwe Odigie, it was discovered to be challenged by reticulation due to leakages of pipes and damage done by the ongoing NDDC drainage construction at the Ogbe-Ofu axis of the community.
Hon. Nwaobi who gave the staff of the Water Board a marching order to put measures in place to get them fixed and restore water supply to Issele-Uku and environs, affirmed that USAID spent millions of naira to get the water project done in Issele-Uku with the approval of Delta State Government.
He said there is no reason why Issele-Uku should not have water running in every street and home of the citizens of the community, all things being equal.
According to him, “The biggest challenge bedevilling the running of water in Issele-Uku is reticulation. Once the leakages of the pipes are fixed, there should be water to every home in the community.
“The major challenge in Issele-Uku community is water. What I see is the issue of leaking and damaged pipes. Once they are fixed, the issue of connectivity from channels into individual houses should not arise”, he said.
The Majority Leader, who was also at the drainage construction site to see the damaged under-layed water pipes by the NDDC workers, gave a marching order to the contractor handling the drainage work to get them replaced within two weeks.
He directed the Commissioner for Water Resources to follow up on the replacement plan to ensure it’s done.
He expressed the joy that a drainage project of that magnitude is going on in the community but worried that a new project must not come in to destroy existing ones.
On telephone conversation with the Drainage Project Engineer, one Engr. Chidi, he advised him to liaise with the community through the Issele-Uku Development Union to assist him in things he needs to know working in Issele-Uku rather than working in isolation.
In an apparent show of readiness to carry out the task, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Isaac Whickie said Government cannot afford to build such gigantic water project and it’s allowed to waste away.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Charles Diayi assured that the memo for the repair would be given speedy attention to ensure that the job is carried out in record time.
The General Manager of the Water Board, Mr. Nosa Okoh posited that once the necessary things are done by his superior bosses, him and his men on ground are ready to give their best to deliver on target.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the President General, Mr. Ofordile Ugeh thanked all the stakeholders and promised that the community was ready to give the Water Board all the necessary assistance to deliver on mandate.
He said that water is a major necessity of life that is so cherished by Issele-Uku people, especially now that the population is surging astronomically.
Meanwhile, at the water station in Onicha-Olona, the challenge appeared monumental as the 100KVA generator that was installed there has been stolen a 6th time.
The Majority Leader was visibly angry at the sight of the environment, thereby condemning the attitude of the workers with regards to Government property.