By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has undertaken a technical assessment of moribund Idah water works with a view to rehabilitating the plant to restore supply of potable water to the ancient city
Managing Director of the N-HYPPADEC, Sadiq Abubakar Yelwa, “Katukan Yauri and “Abeneche Atta” disclosed this at the Palace of Atta Igala, HRM Alaji Matthew Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa on Saturday in Idah, Kogi State.
He revealed that the intervention was in response to request made by the Atta-Igala recently when the management of N-HYPPADEC visited him, appealing to the commission to help rehabilitate the moribund plant.
Yelwa who led a high-powered delegation to undertake a technical assessment of the abandoned facility and as well urge the traditional ruler to sensitize his the people on the impending floods said there was need for technical assessment of the facility.
The N-HYPPADEC Managing Director after accessing the extent of dilapidation of the moribund waterworks with installed capacity of One million liters (1,000,000) per day, said the volume of work was large but not beyond the capacity of the Commission.
“We are in the Idah Water Works to look at the state of the waterworks, appreciate the challenges and see what intervention N-HYPPADEC can render whether single handedly of jointly in collaboration with Kogi State Government to resuscitate the plant.
“The aim is to make it work and to make life easy for the people living in Idah and surroundings.
“I have seen a neglected facility that should have been put to use for long. I have seen a facility that has the capacity to improve on the life of the people, if only given the attention it requires.
“I’m therefore delighted with the commitment of the State Government by instructing the State Ministry of Water Resources to collaborate with N-HYPPADEC and see what we can do to rehabilitate the Waterworks”, he said.
He said, “Few months back we visited the executive governor of Kogi State and he expressed his willingness to collaborate with us in any intervention that will be beneficial to his people.”
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the assessment tour of the facility, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr Danladi Farouq, said the One million Liter-capacity water treatment plant has remained abandoned since 2012.
Farouq who was represented by Mr Omakoji Alhassan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry said from available findings on the Idah Water works, the facility has been abandoned and in a dilapidated form.
The Commissioner expressed the hope that with the intervention of N-HYPPADEC in collaboration with the State Government, the plant would be brought to the standard expected for it to be in full operation.
Responding, the Atta Igala, Alaji Matthew Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa represented by His Royal Highness, Ibrahim Atadoga, (The Inalogu-Atta) described the N-HYPPADEC Managing Director as “part of us” being a chief in the Kingdom.
The Atta-Igala appreciated the MD for always seeking the good of the Kingdom and fulfilling his pledge of resuscating the abandoned Idah water works.
With this development, the people of the ancient city of Idah will soon heave a sigh of relief as the N-HYPPADEC) steps out to rehabilitate the water treatment plant abandoned 12 years ago. (Ends)