By Amos Aar
THE OTOBI Water Works in Otukpo LGA has officially resumed pumping potable water to residents of Otukpo township following the successful completion of a comprehensive rehabilitation project.
The project, executed by CGC Nigeria Limited and funded by the Benue State Government, was confirmed operational during a due diligence inspection conducted on Thursday by the Benue State Public Procurement Commission (BSPPC).
The inspection team verified that water was being pumped from the rehabilitated Otobi plant to the Otukpo waterboard, from where it is distributed across the township.
This development marks a significant step in addressing the protracted challenge of water scarcity in city of Otukpo.
Following the assessment, the Director-General of the BSPPC, Engr. Dr. Comfort Akwonya Adadu, expressed substantial satisfaction with the quality of the work performed by the contractor.
In a remark delivered on her behalf by the Head of Public Procurement Compliance, Mr. James Akaja, Dr. Adadu confirmed that the project met all specified requirements.
“We conducted a thorough review of the project against the specifications outlined in the bill of quantities and confirmed that the work has been executed accordingly,” the statement read. “Our team also stopped at the Otukpo waterboard to verify that water is indeed reaching the intended distribution points. We are pleased to confirm that the system is now functional.”
Dr. Adadu extended appreciation to Governor Alia for prioritising the project and addressing a critical need for the people of Otukpo.
She also commended the State Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation, Hon. Ugwu Odoh, for his oversight in ensuring the project’s full execution. She announced that the Katsina-Ala Water Works is slated for similar rehabilitation in the near future to extend access to clean water to residents of that area.
Providing technical insight, the BSPPC’s Quantity Surveyor, Mr. Ejembi Agada, clarified that the project was a rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, noting that the successful refurbishment of equipment that was “still capable of performing” represented a cost-effective outcome for the state government. He praised the contractors for delivering quality work.
In a prior briefing, the Project Manager for CGC Nigeria Limited, Engr. Daniel Akali Martins, provided assurances regarding the project’s sustainability. He stated that with proper operational procedures and routine maintenance, the facility should not require major rehabilitation for a considerable period.
“With proper operation and maintenance, we guarantee the facility for at least one year. Since it will be fully operational, maintenance will be routine. Therefore, the need for a major overhaul may not arise for several years,” Engr. Martins stated. “The next consideration, rather than rehabilitation, should be the expansion of the facility to serve the entire population.”
He added that company personnel would remain on-site for a three-month retention period to conduct routine maintenance and ensure a smooth operational handover.
This successful commissioning follows an earlier inspection reported on September 10, 2025, during which the project was noted as 90 percent complete and the BSPPC had urged the contractors to expedite work to alleviate the suffering of local residents.
