To ensure that there is portable supply of water in Imo state, especially in Owerri, the Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development (OPAISD) has facilitated a Field Visit/Strategic Dialogue between the Traditional Ruling Council of Owerri and the Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation.
Speaking at the dialogue that took place at Otamiri Water Plant and ISWSC Office Owerri respectively on Thursday, the Executive Director of the Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development (OPAISD), Juliet Okeiyi noted that there is need for the intensification of effort towards fixing the punctured pipes for effective water supply in Owerri Municipal Council, while urging government and the communities to work cordially to achieve objective. She called on all stakeholders to put hands on the deck to ensure there is portable and clean water supply in Owerri.
The traditional rulers of the five autonomous communities of Owerri Municipal Council (Owerri Nchi-Ise), HRH, Eze Possible Uche (Umuonyeche), HRH, Eze Clinton Ubaegbulam Nze (Umuororonjo) and HRH, Eze Theophilus Ifeanyi Darlington (Umuonyima), in a meeting with the Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation (ISWSC) held at Otamiri Water Plant and ISWSC office Owerri respectively, urged the management of the corporation to ensure that the damaged pipes are thoroughly fixed in order to supply water to all the communities in Owerri Municipal Council.
“We do not have water in the whole of Owerri Nchi-Ise despite that we are landlords of Otamiri and Nworie Rivers. Government should do something fast so that water will start running. We condemn the past regimes for destroying the water pipes. It is bad that government allocated lands within Otamiri River to individuals to build house”, the Monarchs said.
Assuring the people of Owerri Municipal Council of having water soon, Managing Director, Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation, Engr. Emeka Ugoanyanwu, noted that the corporation is making effort to fix damaged pipes in order to supply water to Owerri Nchi-Ise even though such a project will cost huge amount of money to fix.
Ugoanyanwu, who said government has been doing its best to generate safe water in Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe to boost health, stressed that government is interfacing with customers on way forward for regular supply of water, just as he told them to corporate with the corporation, warning that it is bad to block waterways with buildings, soakwells and throwing rubbish into the rivers.
According to the Managing Director, “too much of money is being spent on water treatment and reticulation. All the dirt thrown into Otamiri River go underground, giving out chemical reactions that are dangerous to the human system. If time is not taken, in the near fifteen years or thereabout, Imo State may not have enough water because of the pollution of the rivers with rubbish thrown into them. Igbos are destroying their rivers and environments because of money. “Laying water pipes amount to breaking the road because people erect structures on the pipelines.
Owerri Nchi-Ise should be the first people to enjoy water supply in Owerri. We will always get the Ezes involved in every activity the corporation embarks on especially as it relates to rehabilitation of Otamiri Regional Water Scheme.”
