…Undertakes Comprehensive Inspection of Abiriba, Nkporo Facilities
Plans are underway by the Abia State Government to revitalize all Regional Water Schemes across the state to restore them to full operation.
The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday disclosed this when he undertook a comprehensive intervention tour of government facilities in Abiriba and Nkporo, Ohafia LGA, in the company of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem.
Some of the facilities visited in response to Governor Alex Otti’s mandate to revitalize the water projects and moribund facilities include; the Abiriba regional water scheme, Abiriba Water Board, Abiriba Injection Sub- Station and the Nkporo Water scheme.
The team also visited some privately owned companies including the B2M Industries Ltd, Jodins Water factory and Shoe Planet all located in Abiriba, Ohafia LGA.
Monday, who spoke in an interview with Journalists noted that the purpose of the tour was to assess the current operational status of public utilities in the area and assured that government would address the challenges in power supply and water infrastructure.
The Commissioner expressed dismay over the high level of vandalism in government facilities visited and urged the people to support government by protecting its facilities in their area.
Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday
While emphasizing that the present administration’s primary objective is to ensure access to clean drinking water for the citizens, Monday, expressed commitment to inspect all 58 water schemes across the state.
“Our target is to bring these water schemes back to life and we believe by the grace of God, we will achieve it. We have taken the first step to see things for ourselves. We will do a proper technical assessment so that we will kickstart the necessary improvements”.
He noted the challenges in power supply faced by industrialists and industry owners, especially those in rural areas like Abiriba, and revealed ongoing efforts by the state government to collaborate with power distribution companies, such as EEDC, to improve the area’s power supply.
Also speaking the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revitalizing moribund industries throughout the state disclosed ongoing discussions with both international and local investors and hinted at forthcoming positive outcomes.
The Governor’s Aide stated that the present administration is addressing issues that led to industry closures, such as succession conflicts and managerial challenges and disclosed that government plans to provide technical support and assist Industries with credit issues.
He expressed optimism on the promising private factories visited, and emphasized government’s commitment to supporting privately-owned companies to expand.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem
“All industries that dotted Abia state in the past 10- 20 years will come back to life. We will re-engage the youths that have been made available to criminals.
“I want to encourage other Abiriba indigenes and similar investors to put up such facilities within their area to stern the high tide of rural-urban migration, create employment opportunities for the teeming youths to keep them engaged in meaningful activities”, Inem said.
On his part, a Telecommunications Expert, Chief David Ogba Onuoha, lauded Governor Otti for his proactive measures in providing essential services such as water and electricity to the community, which he said are the primary needs of the local residents and expressed the community’s commitment to supporting the current administration as well as safeguarding government assets within their domain.
The team during the facility tour also paid courtesy to the Enachioken of Abiriba Kingdom, Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu IV.
