The government of Kogi State has released the sum of N713, 716, 997 for the execution of the expansion and reticulation of Okene Water works project.
The government released the fund as disclosed after the State Executive Council meeting on Thursday in Lokoja, the state capital.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onogwu Muhammed who made the disclosure, stated that the fund was very key especially for the people of Kogi central who for a long time have experienced scarcity of portable water supply.
He noted that the project has been on going and the funds released would facilitate the prompt completion of the project for the benefit of the people of the State.
The project, was first inspected by Governor Yahaya Bello on November 30th, 2017, five years ago where he expressed readiness to commence work.
Later on April 7th, 2018, the government’s delegation flagged off the complete rehabilitation, dredging and reticulation of the Waterworks, with the promise to complete it within 75 days.
The Governor who was represented at the flag-off by the then, Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Engr Abubakar Ohere reiterated his promise to see to the end of water scarcity which had bedevilled the people of the district.
Ohere is now the State Commissioner for Works, and one of the aspirants jostling to represent the district at the Red chamber in 2023 general elections.
In his words in 2018, when the project is completed, every household in Kogi Central will experience abundant water supply.
Speaking with ebirareporters.com at the flag-off, Engr Abdul Zubair of Salcom Engineering Limited expressed delight in the approval and implementation of his design which includes a recreational center and water park.
With a capacity of over 50,000 litres of water at the Okene Waterworks, Zubair said the expansion and reticulation is linked to two storage tanks at Idiche and Okeneba with the storage capacity of 207,000 and 45,000 cubic litres respectively.
“If everything is put in place within 75 days, Kogi Central is going to say bye to water scarcity,” he added.
Our correspondent would later learn that the deal with the company did not end well, hence dashing the hope of the people for a portable water.
The Okene waterworks was built in 1933 under the initiative and supervision of the then Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Late Alh Ibrahim Onoruoyiza Atta to serve the entire Ebiraland.
