Buratai inaugurates 1million liters Abakpa Water Treatment Plant in Enugu; hails GOC 82 Division, Army Engineers for Feat.

Chief of Army staff, LT. Gen Yusuf Buratai on Wednesday commissioned one million liters per day capacity water treatment plant at headquarters 82 Division Abakpa cantonment in Enugu.

Speaking during the event, the General Buratai commended governor Ugwuanyi for supporting the project and the GOC 82 division for coming up with such initiative.

Recalling that the problems of lack of portable water supply at the 82 division has existed since his first posting as a Lieutenant to Enugu over 34 years ago, while serving in the division, Buratai noted that it was unfortunate that the situation persisted for so long.

He disclosed that the water treatment plant which would supply one million liters of water every day was the first water treatment plant constructed by the Nigerian Army engineers without external help.

Emphasizing on the capacity of the water treatment plant which would supply over one million liters of water per day, Brutai assured that water from the plant would be supplied to the National Youth Service, NYSC Camp, Awgu, and surrounding communities in Enugu as part of Nigerian Army’s Corporate Social Responsibilities.

 The Army Chief who urged Ugwuanyi and other governors to replicate the project in their various states, promised to reduce the overall cost of such project if the Nigerian Army Engineers is awarded the project.

He commended the Nigerian Army engineers for their professionalism and commitment toward making sure that the water treatment plant was completed.

Gov. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi in his address commended Chief of Army Staff, and the GOC, in charge of 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Adamu Abubakar for their assistance in providing drinking water to the barracks and its environs.

Ugwuanyi lauded the Nigerian Army for the existing peaceful relationship it enjoys with the people of Enugu State and promised to work together with them to further maintain peace and security in the State.

His words, “Enugu State commends Nigerian Army for providing this water treatment plant to boost water supply in the barracks and its environs.”

“I want to use this opportunity to thank the Chief of Army staff and his entourage for his cooperation and assistance in the security of the state which has resulted in Enugu State being ranked as one of the safest states in the country”.

The elated governor promised to asphalt the road that linked the site of the plant to the barracks to control erosion in the area and allow them access water without hitches.

Ebonyi State Governor, Dr.  David Umahi in appreciation said that Nigerian Army has done great work by assisting the government of Enugu State state in providing portable water to the Barracks and the people of the state.

Umahi urged the Army Chief to also look into the dilapidated structures at the barracks to ensure the well-being of officers and men of the force and to maintain the division’s status as one of the leading military formations in the country.

Drawing the attention of the Army Chief to the pssible outbreak of violence over boundary disputes between Ebonyi State and Akwa Ibom State, Gov. Umahi commended the Chief of Staff, Buratai for his efforts towards restoring peace between the warring communities in Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom States.

He pleaded for the deployment of more soldiers in the State pointing out that the Izzi Barracks is lacking enough soldiers many of them have been deployed to the boundary between Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom State to restore peace.

His words, “The current crisis between communities in the two states is almost looking like it’s a war between Ebonyi and Cross River States.

“We need more soldiers to help the ones already deployed to restore peace in the area”.

In his opening remarks, GOC 82 division, Major General Adamu Abubakar commended Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Chief of Army Staff and the team of engineers for their effort to make sure that portable water is accessible to the division and environs.

Abubakar noted that the idea of this project arose when problem of portable water to the Barracks escalated and became unbearable.

END.