By Dada Ahmed.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Located on the outskirts of Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, the Greater Lokoja Water Works once stood as a beacon of hope for clean and reliable water supply. Established during the administration of former Governor Ibrahim Idris in the 2000s, this vital infrastructure was designed to serve a rapidly growing population, ensuring access to potable water for thousands of residents in Lokoja and its environs.
However, its promise has been dimmed by natural disasters, leaving many to wonder when the Greater Lokoja Water Plant will come alive again.
A brief history of the facility reveals that it was inaugurated with great expectations, equipped to provide over 30 million liters of water daily. Its inception was part of a broader effort by the Kogi State government to improve public health and sanitation through reliable water supply. Over the years, the facility underwent various upgrades, enhancing its capacity to meet the demands of a burgeoning population.
Unfortunately, the very success it sought to achieve was jeopardized by unforeseen environmental challenges, particularly the impact of the 2022 floods. In October 2022, Lokoja was devastated by unprecedented flooding due to heavy rainfall and the overflow of the Niger and Benue rivers.
The floodwaters wreaked havoc on this crucial facility, damaging critical infrastructure. As a result, the once-thriving water treatment plant found itself submerged, leading to a cessation of operations and a dramatic decline in water supply.
Residents lament that the aftermath of the flood has severely impacted their social and economic activities. With the waterworks out of operation, many have been forced to rely on alternative, often unsafe, sources for their daily water needs. Health experts warn that this situation can lead to waterborne diseases, straining public health resources, and stress the urgent need for the facility’s restoration.
Regarding the current status of the waterworks and the state government’s response, the Ododo administration has pledged to rehabilitate it. Initial assessments have been conducted to evaluate the extent of the damage, and discussions about funding for repairs are underway.
During a press conference in Lokoja, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya MD Farouk, informed journalists that the state government, determined to restore water to the people of Lokoja, has considered several options to alleviate the residents’ suffering.
According to him, the total rehabilitation of the Greater Lokoja Water Works will cost between N120 billion and N150 billion, excluding the costs of relocating and revamping the treatment plant.
He noted that one option is to relocate two major flood-prone sections of the facility, which would cost between N70 billion and N90 billion. Another option involves raising the facility’s equipment above the 2022 flood level, though this, too, would require significant investment.
The Commissioner mentioned that the state government has taken pragmatic steps to replace equipment submerged during the flooding but cautioned that this process would take at least 12 months to complete.
As efforts to revive the facility progress, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo has approved funds for the rehabilitation of the old Lokoja Water Works.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr.Yahaya MD Farouk, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists in Lokoja. He explained that the plan is to supply water to some areas of Lokoja, the state capital, pending the completion of repairs at the Greater Lokoja Water Works.
He emphasized the administration’s commitment to addressing water scarcity in the state and appealed to residents for patience, assuring them that efforts are being made to resolve the issue.
Feedback from some residents indicates that while temporary measures, such as water tankers supplying potable water to critical areas, have been implemented, these solutions are not lasting.They urge the state government to expedite efforts to rehabilitate the Greater Lokoja Water Works to restore long-term access to clean water.
It is essential to recognize that reviving the Greater Lokoja Water Works should not only focus on infrastructure repair but also reflect a commitment to public health and community well-being. Health experts believe that investing in the revitalization of the facility demonstrates the state government’s dedication to improving the quality of life for all residents.
For a lasting solution to the water challenges in Kogi State, experts call on the state government to embark on a comprehensive flood disaster and ensure constant and modernization of water equipment.
In all , it is instructive to note that the Greater Lokoja Water Works is not just a facility; it is a lifeline for the residents of Lokoja and its environs and reviving it is timely and apt.As residents look towards the future for the revitalization of this essential service, it is imperative for them to rally around the government, as citizens and stakeholders alike, to ensure that this vital project is brought back to life.
Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and the time for increased action to revive the Greater Lokoja Water Works is now. The residents of Lokoja deserve a reliable and sustainable water supply, and the current government is committed to shouldering this crucial responsibility.
Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has consistently affirmed this commitment, assuring Kogites that his administration takes this matter seriously. He has promised the residents of Lokoja that, in the near future, the Greater Lokoja Water Works will come alive again, and the scarcity of potable water in Lokoja and other parts of the state will be a thing of the past.
Reviving Greater Lokoja Water Works: A Call For Increased Action.
By Dada Ahmed.
Though located at the outskirt of Lokoja, capital of Kogi State, the Greater Lokoja Water Works once stood as a beacon of hope for clean and reliable water supply.
Established during the administration of former Governor Ibrahim Idris in the 2000s, this vital infrastructure was designed to serve a rapidly growing population, ensuring access to potable water for thousands of residents of Lokoja and its environs.
However, its promise has been dimmed by natural disasters, leaving many to wonder as to when will Greater Lokoja Water Plant come alive again.
A brief history of the facility shows that it was inaugurated with great expectations, equipped to provide over 30 million litres of water daily. Its inception, therefore ,is regarded as part of a broader effort by the Kogi State government to improve public health and sanitation through reliable water supply.
Experience reveals that over the years, the facility underwent various upgrades, enhancing its capacity to meet the demands of a burgeoning population.
But unfortunately, the very success it sought to achieve became jeopardized by unforeseen environmental challenges sequel to the impact of the 2022 flood.
In October 2022, Lokoja was devastated by unprecedented flooding, attributed to heavy rainfall and the overflow of the Niger and Benue rivers. The floodwaters wreaked havoc on this very important facility and damaged critical infrastructure. Therefore,the once-thriving it’s water treatment plant found itself submerged, leading to the cessation of operations and a dramatic decline in water supply.
Residents regret that the aftermath of the flood has been dire to their social and economic activities. With the waterworks out of operation, residents have been forced to rely on alternative sources of water supply, in some cases unsafe sources for their daily water needs.
This development, health experts explain can lead to waterborne diseases, straining public health resources and they stressed the urgent need for restoration of the facility.
Viewing the current status of the water works in focus,and the state government response, the Ododo-administration has made pledges to rehabilitate it.
Towards realizing this objective,initial assessments were conducted to evaluate the extent of the damage, and discussions around funding for repairs have commenced.
During a press conference, in Lokoja,the Commissioner for Water Resources,Engr Yahaya MD Farouk, told journalists that the state government, in its determination to restore water to the people of Lokoja, has considered some options in alleviating the people’s suffering.
According to him, the total rehabilitation of the the greater Lokoja water works would will cost the state government between N120 billion and N150 billion, excluding reticulation to relocate and revamp the treatment plant.
He pointed out that other options left for the government in solving the problem include relocating the two major flood-prone sections of the facility at the cost of between N70 billion and N90 billion to execute.
He added that another option is to raise the equipment of the facility above the flood level of 2022, but noted that this option too runs into billions of naira.
According to the Commissioner, the State government has taken some pragmatic steps to replace equipment submerged at the Greater Lokoja Water Works, but warned that this would take at least 12 months to complete.
As efforts are on deck in actualizing reviving the facility,Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has approved funds for the rehabilitation of old Lokoja Water Works.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Yahaya Farouk, who disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists in Lokoja. He explained that the plan is to supply water to some areas of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, pending the completion of repairs of the plant at the Greater Lokoja Water Works.
He emphasized the administration’s commitment to addressing the water scarcity in the state and appealed to residents for patience, assuring them that efforts were being made to resolve the issue.
Feelers from some residents in Lokoja indicate that while some temporary measures have been implemented, such as water tankers supplying potable water to critical areas, these solutions are not sustainable.
They called on the state government to hasten efforts in the rehabilitation of the greater Lokoja water water works to restore long-term access to clean water to the public.
It is instructive to note that the restoration of the greater Lokoja water water works should not only be a matter of infrastructure repair but also a commitment to public health and community well-being.
Health experts believe that investment in the revitalization of greater Lokoja water works is one way the state government demonstrates its dedication to improving the quality of life for all residents.
For lasting solution to water challenge in kogi state,experts on water resources called on the state government to embark on a comprehensive disaster management strategy that includes regular maintenance and modernization of water facilities to mitigate the impacts of future flooding.
According to them engaging local communities in the planning and recovery process can also foster a sense of ownership and responsibility towards local resources.
In the final analysis, it is apt to say that the Greater Lokoja Water Works is not just a facility but a lifeline for the people of Lokoja.
As residents look to the future for the revitalization of this all important facility in management and supply, it imperative for them to rally round the government as citizens, and stakeholders alike to ensure that this vital project is revitalized.
Without mincing words,access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and the time for increased action to revitalize the the greater Lokoja water works is now.
No doubt, the residents of Lokoja deserve a reliable and sustainable water supply and the current government says it will not shy away from shouldering that crucial responsibility to make reviving the water works a reality,once more.
Ahmed publishes The Reporters.
ahmeddada008@gmail.com.
