The Imo State Government has revitalized the Otamiri Water Headworks, providing clean and sustainable water supply to rural communities for the first time in 28 years. Commissioner for Water Resources, Ozo Obinna Ogwuegbu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Owerri, emphasizing Governor Hope Uzodimma’s commitment to improving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure.
The Otamiri facility, built during Governor Samuel Mbakwe’s administration, had degenerated into a site for open defecation and grazing by 2019 due to years of neglect. Uzodimma prioritized the rehabilitation of the facility upon assuming office, transforming it into a modern water treatment plant with a capacity of 60 million liters of safe water daily.
Major Rehabilitation Milestones
Key upgrades to the Otamiri Water Headworks under Uzodimma’s leadership include:
- Replacement of outdated turbine pumps with modern digital models.
- Installation of insertion meters for precise water measurement.
- Construction of perimeter fences and rehabilitation of staff quarters.
- Establishment of a digital monitoring system for real-time water quality analysis.
- Installation of solar-powered streetlights and development of internal road networks.
The project earned Imo State a Utility of the Future award from the World Bank in 2022, recognizing efforts to restore water supply dignity.
Expanding Rural Water Access
Beyond Otamiri, the Uzodimma administration has drilled over 75 solar-powered boreholes in areas such as Owerri North, Owerri West, and Ngor-Okpala Local Government Areas. Additionally, several rural water schemes, including those at Imo State University, Orji, and Uguta, are undergoing rehabilitation, with three nearing completion.
Ogweugbu highlighted the impact of these projects: “These initiatives ensure access to clean water and WASH services for communities that have faced decades of neglect. They enhance quality of life and boost public health.”
The commissioner also noted significant progress in restoring water services to Imo State University’s hostels, benefiting students and staff.
