Soludo Is an Eco-Friendly, Always Goes for the Best — Commissioner Chukwuemeka

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

The Anambra State government has taken another significant and strategic step toward enhancing the eco-friendliness, efficiency, and effectiveness of its water sector.

This came to the fore following the hosting of a first-of-its-kind training and capacity-building workshop for members of the Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria (BODAN), Anambra State Chapter, water contractors in the state, and the staff of the Anambra State Ministry of Power and Water Resources.

Championed by the State Ministry of Power and Water Resources, the one-day event, held on Thursday in Awka, the state capital, was facilitated by a Denmark-based company, Grundfos, the world's largest pump manufacturer. The training aimed to equip participants with cutting-edge knowledge and skills for enhancing water resource management in line with modern trends in the sector, particularly focusing improving efficiency and effectiveness, and on the integration of green energy solutions.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after declaring the event open, the State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, emphasized the importance of the training in achieving the state's water goals. He noted that the workshop aligns with Governor Chukwuma Soludo's agenda of making Anambra a liveable and prosperous homeland through sustainable energy solutions, particularly in the water sector.

According to the Commissioner, “What we are doing today is in line with Mr. Governor's vision of embracing green energy as a primary source of power for our water schemes. Recall that this green energy solution is also an integral part of Anambra's Vision 2070, which the Governor Chaired even when he had not become a governor. Soludo is an eco-friendly Governor, has so much concerns about climate change, and always goes for the best in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.

“So, this training is essential for the engineers, geologists, and hydrogeologists in the state, who are not yet fully acquainted with the new solar-driven pump technologies. We need more hands on deck to ensure that when these water schemes are handed over to communities, they are properly managed and sustained.”

While also noting that this is aptly coming at the time when Governor Soludo's water revolution is in top gear across different parts of the State; Commissioner Chukwuemeka further explained that the workshop was designed to build the capacity of both the staff of the Ministry, local contractors and water professionals in the state, ensuring that they can install and maintain solar-powered pumps effectively. This, he said, would not only further boost the efficiency and effectiveness of the Anambra water sector, but also reduce the state's reliance on external experts, as well as make the state's water sector more self-sufficient and sustainable, as envisioned by the Solution Government.

Also speaking in an interview with newsmen, the facilitator of the technical session and Grundfos Country Lead for business in Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Mr. Ernest Nwachukwu, expressed his satisfaction with the partnership between Grundfos and the Anambra State Government. He noted that the company was committed to supporting the state's water revolution through continued training and the provision of high-quality, energy-efficient pumps.

According to him, doing business in Anambra State has been favourable to the company, which made the Management, upon receiving report about what is needed to further enhance the state's power sector, roll out three action plans for the state, which include to have yearly training for water engineers in Anambra State (the maiden edition of which was just concluded); to take responsibility for the delivery of all the pumps procured by Anambra down to the state; and thirdly told hold special training for pump installers, which will hold with effect from next year.

His words, “We are excited to be part of this initiative. Today marks the first of many training sessions we will have in Anambra. Our goal is to equip local engineers and contractors with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain these systems effectively. We are also focusing on making Anambra a hub for pump installers in the Southeast, so they can serve not just the state but the entire region.”

He further emphasized that using renewable energy would not only drastically reduce operational costs and improve the sustainability of water schemes across the state, but also contribute greatly to environmental sustainability.

Earlier in his Address of Welcome, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power and Water Resources, Mr. Victor Ezekwo, commended Grundfos for their commitment to the state's water sector, and also emphasized the need for continuous capacity-building initiatives to keep professionals abreast of the latest technologies.

“This training could not have come at a better time, especially as the state moves towards integrating solar energy into its water projects. We are committed to ensuring that the professionals in this sector are well-equipped to manage these systems, thereby ensuring efficiency and sustainability,” he said.

On his own part, while speaking on the topic ‘Technical Knowledge in Water Resources Development and Management’, the Managing Director of the Anambra State Urban Water Asset Holdings Corporation (ASUWAHC), Hon. Ikeobi Ejiofor, highlighted some of the factors to consider and steps to take to ensure adequate, efficient, and effective water resources development and management.

Hon. Ikeobi, who commended the Grundfos for the partnership with the state, further noted that Anambra State government has always desired to provide the best for the people, especially in the water sector of the State, as is evidenced in the quantity and quality of water facilities and other water-related initiatives the government has championed in different parts of the state.

The training, which encompassed both theoretical and practical sessions, exposed participants to various aspects of modern water resource management. These included the enormous benefits of using solar energy as a primary power source for water projects, the disadvantages of continuing to use old worn pumps even if they are still functional (which include reduced efficiency by 20%, increased energy consumption by 40%, and increased emission of carbon dioxide by 20%). Also covered in the training was the process of calculating and determining the appropriate pump capacity for different water project sizes and depths.

In their votes of thanks on behalf of other participants, the Chairman of Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria (Anambra State Chapter), Mr. Edeth Solomon; and the National Vice President of the Association, H.R.H. Igwe Dr. Uche Alugbu of Ndị Uwani-Umuoka, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, lauded the state government and Grundfos for teaming up to organize the workshop, which they acknowledged was very beneficial to their members in many ways. They described the training as “a game-changer” for the water industry in the state and praised the Soludo administration for its efforts in revitalizing public water systems across Anambra.

While confessing that the training provided them with new insights and tools that will significantly improve their work as water engineers, they also assured to spread and also put the knowledge in good use towards actualizing the overall goal of the training.

Aside the insightful lectures dished out to the participants, the event also featured a practical test on sizing and calculating the appropriate pump capacity for specific water project size, after which the winning participants went home with mouthwatering monetary prizes, courtesy of Grundfos.

More photos from the event: