By Kufre Carter
Three years ago, the IBB flood problem was a big problem and an embarrassment to the government, while being a menace to road users. We all know the story.
I was a huge critic of that project myself and was very vociferous in my condemnation of the government and then Governor Udom Emmanuel for not solving that problem.
Not long after, work started on that project and even though it took a while, there was hope.
Citizens and residents, including me, underestimated the scope and level of work to be done on that project. We all believed it was a regular job that should be concluded speedily and normal service restored.
How ignorant we all were!
One day, I got a call from then Commissioner for Environment, Hon Charles Udoh who offered to take me on a tour of the project.
We started the tour one hot Saturday afternoon from the IBB axis. We walked for over four kilometres of extensive and major drainage work done, spanning three LGAs till I got tired and my shoe completely damaged. Even Hon Charles didn’t pity me. I deserved it.
I went back home marvelling at the level of that project and immediately stopped attacking government on that project because I had seen at firsthand how large and extensive that project was.
Today, no matter how long or hard it rains, no single drop of water will remain on that road. We’re all testament to that and fully appreciate the then government for intervening even though it was majorly a World Bank project.
Today, Gov Umo Eno went to Ini LG to commission a water project in a community that hadn’t had portable water since 1976. The water, from what I heard from residents, is coloured and they have to trek long distances to get it.
Now, the idea of a Governor commissioning a “borehole” project sounds like mince meat until one fully understands and learns about the scope and capacity of that project.
For the benefit of doubt, It’s called water reticulation. The area in Ini LG is such that it’s difficult to get water through the common and regular “borehole”. So it’s reticulated to six different communities housing over two thousand people in the area to enable them have portable water for the first time in thirty eight years.
It comes with a borehole of 660feet, dug with a fully mechanized rotary rig to achieve the recommended depth.
It has a 170,000 liters water tank on a 12 meter steel stanchion sitting on a raft foundation.
The facility has a Denmark made Pump A Grundfos solar pump with a flow rate of 6m3/hr which is installed with a solar array of 3000watts.
The facility comes with a Treatment Plant known as the aqualite, produced by Unimex Water Solutions Denmark. The treatment plant is 100% chemical free and is derived from naturally existing minerals.
The plant has the following capabilities:
A. 99% Particle reduction
B. Iron removal
C. PH correction
D. Eliminates the growth of Bacteria
E. Eliminates odour, among other features.
6. The water project has been reticulated to cover at least six locations within 6kms. The 6 tap islands have 3 standing taps each, while a clinic/health centre in the community has also been linked.
It’s a vast project and the name “borehole” sounds unfair but forgiveable considering a lot of people do not know the full scope of the project and how massive it is.
People underate the finished work because they’ve not seen the effort made to arrive at it, like the IBB Drainage project few years ago.
Aside a Governor who has the resources, not even a Federal House Member would be able to pull this off. Else Macaire(who is arguably the best National Assembly member from this state) would’ve done it long ago.
Please fact check me.
I understand the criticism and the mockery from people. They have the right to until they have they right information.
Two things are involved:
1. Portable and clean water has been provided for over two thousand people across six communities for the first time in forty eight years.
2. The residents, many of them I spoke to today, are incredibly pleased and elated that finally, their quest and suffering for clean water has been solved. The opinion of the beneficiaries supercedes every other opinion.
In a little under two years, Gov Umo Eno has proven himself capable of making the right calls and putting the interest of EVERY Akwa Ibom person at heart. He deserves the benefit of doubt from every Akwa Ibom person.
Admittedly, he won’t always be right. He’s human. But he has shown he’s a leader that cares and listens to the opinion of his people. Several cases abound on this.
Let’s trust Umo Eno. He will deliver.
*Kufre Carter writes from Odiok Itam, Itu LGA*
