Gov. Ododo Releases fund for rehabilitation of old Lokoja water works
ATABOR JULIUS LOKOJA.
Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has approved the release of fund for the immediate rehabilitation of Lokoja old water works.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya Farouk, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists yesterday in Lokoja
Engr. Farouk explained that
the plant is intended to supply water to some areas of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, pending the rehabilitation of the Greater Lokoja Water Works which was submerged by floods in 2012.
According to the Commissioner, the State government is taking pragmatic steps to replace equipment submerged at the Greater Lokoja Water Works, though this will take at least 12 months to complete.
He emphasized the administration’s commitment to addressing the water scarcity, appealed to residents for patience, assuring them that efforts are being made to resolve the issue.
“Before Friday, contractors will resume work for the rehabilitations of old Lokoja water works. It has been approved and cashed back by the Governor of Kogi State. Within the shortest possible time, water supply will return to Lokoja metropolis” he stated.
Engr. Farouk debunk reports making the rounds that the reservoir for old Lokoja water works has been sold out.
According to him, “This is not true and should be disregarded by the general public. These are mischief makers who keep spreading fake news just to discredit the government efforts at restoring water back to Lokoja metropolis”.
The Commissioner seized the opportunity to intimate journalists about the arrest of some suspects who vandalized armoured cables for greater Lokoja Water works in Ganaja Village.
His words “I am convinced that it was an internal problem. We wrote to the State Police command and arrest were made concerning some suspects who went to vandalized armoured cables meant for greater Lokoja water works. The private security agencies were engaged and later sent a report that some people have confessed and said the armoured cables were sold to someone in Ganaja.
“We have tank A which is supposed to supply to tank B, but it has also been vandalized. We will arrest all of them no matter their hiding place. Any person that vandalize public infrastructure that is expected to serve the people will not go unpunished.
“I want to use this opportunity to emphasize on community ownership of our installations across the State. I must commend Ayegunle Gbede a community in Kogi West that has been protecting our infrastructure in their locality. There were part of our water equipment that was auctioned about five years ago.
” The auctioneers could not come close because the community stood their ground insisting that they must see the ministry of water resources before any thing could be done. This is what we want and should be replicated across board. We must stand our ground to stop the vandalization of our critical infrastructure in Kogi State”
He maintained that the procurement process of greater Lokoja water works is about 80 percent, stressing that, the government has almost concluded plans with the contractors to bring the plant back to shape.
He commended the robust relationship between the government and working journalists in the State adding that, this has brought about rapid development and good governance for the people of Kogi State.
.
