The Kogi State Government has announced the arrest of some suspects behind the vandalization of armoured cables situated in Greater Lokoja works in Ganaja Village.
The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Yahaya Farouk disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists on Monday evening.
Farouk explained that the suspects are currently being interrogated and are providing useful information to the Kogi State Police Command.
His words, “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 armoured 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 armoured cables were sold to someone in Ganaja.
“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.
“I want to use this opportunity to emphasize community ownership of our installation across the State. I must commend Ayegunle Gbede, a community in Kogi East that has been protecting our infrastructure in their locality. There were parts of our water equipment that were auctioned about five years ago.
” The auctioneers could not come close because the community stood their ground insisting that they must see the Ministry of Water Resources before anything could be done. This is what we want and should be replicated across the board. We must stand our ground to stop the vandalization of our critical infrastructure in Kogi State”
The Commissioner informed journalists that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has approved with cash backing the rehabilitation of the Lokoja old water works.
He noted that the plant is intended to supply water to some areas of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, pending the completion of repairs at the Greater Lokoja Water Works which was damaged by floods in 2022.
According to the Commissioner, the State government is taking pragmatic steps to replace equipment submerged at the Greater Lokoja Water Works, though this will take at least 12 months to complete.
He emphasized the administration’s commitment to addressing the water scarcity and appealed to residents for patience, assuring them that efforts are being made to resolve 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 debunked reports making the rounds that the reservoir for old Lokoja water works has been sold out.
According to him, “This is not true and should be disregarded by the general public. This is the handiwork of mischief makers, who keep spreading fake news just to discredit the government efforts at restoring water to Lokoja metropolis”.
