Governor Usman Ododo has authorized funding for the restoration of the old Lokoja water works, which have been submerged since the 2022 flood disaster.

This announcement was made by Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Yahaya Farouk, during an interactive session with journalists yesterday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

Farouk explained that the plant aims to supply water to parts of Lokoja pending the completion of repairs at the Greater Lokoja Water Works, which sustained damage from floods in 2012. He noted that replacing the submerged equipment at the Greater Lokoja Water Works would take at least 12 months.

Emphasizing the administration’s dedication to resolving the water scarcity, Farouk appealed for residents’ patience, assuring them that efforts were underway to address the issue. “Before Friday, contractors will resume work for the rehabilitation of old Lokoja water works. It has been approved and cashed back by the Governor of Kogi State. Within the shortest possible time, water supply will return to Lokoja metropolis,” he stated.

Farouk also debunked rumors that the reservoir for the old Lokoja water works had been sold. “This is not true and should be disregarded by the general public. This is the handwork of mischief makers who keep spreading fake news just to discredit the government’s efforts at restoring water to Lokoja metropolis,” he said.

The Commissioner informed journalists about the arrest of suspects who vandalized armored cables for the Greater Lokoja Waterworks in Ganaja Village. “I am convinced that it was an internal problem. We wrote to the State Police Command, and arrests were made concerning some suspects who went to vandalize armored cables meant for Greater Lokoja water works.

The private security agencies were engaged and later sent a report that some people had owned up that the armored cables were sold to someone in Ganaja,” Farouk explained.

He added, “We have tank A, which is supposed to serve supply to tank B, have also been vandalized. We will arrest all of them no matter their hiding place. Any person who vandalizes public infrastructure that is expected to serve the people will not go unpunished.”

Farouk emphasized community ownership of public installations across the state, commending Ayegunle Gbede, a community in Kogi East, for protecting local infrastructure. He urged other communities to follow this example to prevent vandalism.

The Commissioner noted that the procurement process for the Greater Lokoja Water Works is about 80% complete and that the government is finalizing plans with contractors to restore the plant.

He praised the strong relationship between the government and working journalists in the state, attributing this partnership to the rapid development and good governance in Kogi State.