Imo Commissioner for Water Resources Audits WASH Facilities, Addresses Challenges

By Christopher Ononukwe

On Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Ozo Obinna Ogwuegbu, the recently inaugurated Commissioner for Water Resources, carried out a thorough audit of vital facilities at the headquarters of Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation (ISWSC) and its Otamiri Treatment Plant.

In order to serve the people of Imo State better in the second laps of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s tenure, the Commissioner’s visit guided by Engr Peter Chukwuma, the acting Managing Director and CEO of ISWSC, was to diagnose and audit the current state of the facilities and identify new challenges facing the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector. Following the Governor’s directive, Commissioner Ogwuegbu also conducted an audit of the facilities at Imo State RUWASSA (Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency) and ISSTOWA (Imo State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency) with his entourage. He raised concerns about several critical issues, such as the deteriorating and outdated infrastructure. He concluded that in order to guarantee reliable and safe service delivery, several of the WASH systems need urgent repairs or replacements.

A detailed audit of several important facilities, including the Otamiri Treatment Section, Otamiri laboratories, ISWSC Conference Hall, ICT equipment, and the new lactation area was also part of his visit. The Commissioner offered some suggestions and recommendations for improvement at each site, stressing the importance of increasing operational efficiency. The Commissioner emphasized the continued engagements of the Ministry and its agencies with national and international organizations, such as the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation (FMWRS), World Bank, and the USAID. The Commissioner asserts that this partnership is essential to increasing efforts and successfully tackling the challenges facing the Imo WASH sector.

“The Shared Prosperity Agenda of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, ensures that all residents of Imo State have more optimal access to safe and reliable WASH services in this second tenure. This will not only improve public health but also enhance the quality of life for our people,” Hon Ogwuegbu said.

In order to explore opportunities for future development in the state’s WASH sector, the Commissioner revealed that the Governor had sent him to audit all of the facilities at the three agencies and report back for immediate intervention. The Commissioner noted that the first major turnaround of Otamiri Waterworks and other agencies’ facilities was done by Governor Uzodimma in his first tenure, emphasizing the significance of sustainable WASH management practices and the need for ongoing infrastructure investment to meet the increasing demands of the Imo population. He stressed that since this development many residents of Imo State have continued to benefit from the WASH services, hence the need for the administration to consolidate and improve on his deliverables in the second term in office.

“The Government of the Shared Prosperity is dedicated to building a robust WASH sector that can promote our state’s health and wellbeing. The Government has done well in the first tenure. Now, His Excellency wants to consolidate and improve on his milestones. This includes making plans for long-term sustainability in addition to resolving urgent challenges. In order to make the required adjustments and guarantee that the people of Imo State receive high level of WASH services they are entitled to, the State Ministry of Water Resources with its agencies will keep collaborating closely with all relevant stakeholders,” he said.