PRESS RELEASE
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu commissioned the N75 million Ogbombara Spring Water Harvestation Project, Ndeaboh, in Aninri local government, Enugu State, Thursday.
The project, which was attracted by Senator Ekweremadu in the 2013 Federal Government Budget, has a three-kilometre Ogbombara Spring Water Reticulation Project in the 2014 Budget and will provide potable water to Ndeabor community and its environ.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Senator Ekweremadu, said the execution of the water project represented part of the bold moves to address the challenges of portable water not just in Aninri, but in the entire senatorial district he represents.
He stressed that the Ogbombara water project would improve the health of the people by eradicating water borne diseases in the area.
Senator Ekweremadu said: “We have had cases of water borne diseases, but today, by this project, we are bringing these challenges to an end. We have an elaborate plan for our people to ensure that their challenges of water are addressed exhaustively from Aninri to Awgu, from Awgu to Oji River, from Oji River to Ezeagu.
“From the N12 billion Ivo Multipurpose Dam Project in Okpanku, to the ongoing Ugbo dam project, which has been transferred from the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for adequate funding, and the Greater Oji River Water Project, the Ogbambara Water Project is just an example of what we are doing to resolve the challenges of portable water facing our people.
“Whereas Oji supplies water to Enugu city, that locality has no access to portable water itself. Today, we have brought in the Federal Government to undertake about N1 billion water scheme project, starting with an initial N400 million, which is in the process of being awarded by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources. The scheme will supply water to the twelve communities of Achi Ishilabo as well as Inyi and Awlor, among others.
“I and my team are indeed very grateful to God for giving us an opportunity to serve our people and today I am excited just as any other person here to see that our mission at the National Assembly is being achieved”.
Senator Ekweremadu who relished the special ties he has had with Ndeaboh community over the years, noted with delight that the problem of infrastructural decay in the area was being gradually tackled.
He reflected: “When I started my political career, Igwe Herbert Ikpenwa, together with members of his cabinet, prayed for me and gave me the Ofor of Ndeaboh people and told me to go ahead, that I would get to the pinnacle of my career. God has answered their prayers. Today, when the dances were going on, I was restraining myself from shedding tears of joy because I could see from their hearts, the happiness and gratitude to God for answering their prayers.
“As a people we have been challenged by infrastructural decay, we have been challenged by poverty, we have been challenged by ignorance, but by the grace of God, we are overcoming them one by one”.
Speaking earlier, the President-General of Greater Ndeaboh Development Union, Chief Christopher Obuaka expressed gratitude to Senator Ekweremadu for the execution of the water project and the numerous other ways he had impacted positively on the community namely, including appointments into high positions, provision of electricity, scholarship awards, establishment of adult literacy centre, and construction and asphalting of the Oji River-Awgu-Ndeaboh-Mpu-
He also pledged the total support of the community to the future political aspirations of Senator Ekweremadu.
Also speaking, Engr. Patrick Ikpenwa, Executive Director, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, said Senator Ekweremadu had brought tremendous development to the zone and called for his continuity in office beyond 2015.
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Uche Anichukwu
Special Adviser (Media) to Deputy President of the Senate
