Ingrace Group has launched a project named ‘Water On Wheels’, which will facilitate the availability of clean, portable water at the doorstep of Enugu residents via online booking.
Speaking at the launch which took place on 26th November, 2021, Chinedu Onu, the Founder/President of Ingrace group of companies said Water on wheels is one of the subsidiaries of their organisation and will “compliment the efforts of the state government.
“We’re aware of the efforts of the administration of Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Governor of Enugu State in ensuring that the water problem in Enugu State is solved.”
Onu also stated that their depot which they purchased is located at 9th mile corner (which has the best water in the state) and they have “two functional boreholes which will be doubled in the coming weeks.
“The company also has in its fleet, 25 water tankers and in the coming weeks, the number will increase to over 100.
“The citizens can now be sure of the source of their water and this will help in solving the problem of water-borne disease,” he said.
He also called on investors to bring in their water tankers which after being certified by their company, can be used to deliver water to ndi Enugu while the investors make their money.
Onu appreciated governor Ugwuanyi for creating and sustaining a good investment climate in Enugu which made it possible for investors to be trooping into the Coal City state.
As a way of giving back to the Ngwo Community where their depot is located, Onu announced that 20 girls from the area will get scholarship up to university level.
Commissioning the project, Governor Ugwuanyi said the “Ingrace Water on wheels initiative is laudable and also compliments the efforts of our administration to ensure speedy provision of clean portable water to Ndi Enugu.
“Our administration at inception, met a heavily challenged water sector, especially at the production end. The Oji River and Ajari water schemes were gripped with daily water production far below their installed capacity. The 9th Mile crash borehole programme was comatose and its major installations have been vandalised, occasioning grossly inadequate clean portable water supply to Enugu citizens.”
The Governor highlighted the progress made by his administration in providing clean water to Ndi Enugu, these includes;
Emergency rehabilitation of Oji and Ajari water schemes, resulting in the improved water supply to most parts of Enugu city, including: GRA, New Haven, Asata, some parts of Independence layout, Achara layout, Trans Ekulu and Coal Camp areas, etc.
Construction of additional water boreholes in Nsukka and this has led to great improvement in water supply in Nsukka urban.
Construction of water pipeline extension in many streets and communities in Enugu Urban and Nsukka due to increased water supply
Complete rehabilitation of 9th mile crash borehole programme that’s fully powered by solar energy. Eight water boreholes are already productive in this scheme and soon, with eminent commissioning of this project, water supply to Enugu metropolis will receive a significant boost.
Rejigging and retooling of Enugu State water cooperation to ensure a competent, well equipped and well motivated workforce.
Ugwuanyi also stated that; “Bidding processes for drilling of 10 new solar energy powered boreholes in Okwojo Ngwo is on course and Enugu State Government participation in AFD, French development agency support to third national urban water sector reform project will deliver end-to-end water supply solution to Enugu metropolis. Withing the project implementation plan, the detailed engineering design of works component of the project is in progress and a tender for rehabilitation of Oji and Ajari water schemes, including water treatments and other works will commence by the end of this year.
“The dilapidated water pipeline network in Enugu metropolis will be replaced with new ones while new estates development and unserved neighbourhood will be connected to the public water supply system.
The Governor also expressed his appreciation of “the role of Ingrace Water on wheels initiative in ensuing that our people have access to clean, portable water especially, as our administration goes through with the phased implementation of the AFD supported third national urban water sector reform project” and went on to assure “the good people of Enugu State that Enugu water supply challenges will become history as soon as the AFD supported water project comes fully on speed in a few months time.”
Lawrence Ibeabuchi Ede, the Admin Manager of Ingrace Group while speaking to JOURNALIST101 on how the water on wheels works, said they have been able to break Enugu metropolis into three zones.
“We have Ziks’ avenue zone that will serve Uwani, Garriki, Agbani and Achara layout. We also have the GRA Zone that will cater for GRA, Abakpa and Trans Ekulu areas and finally, the Independence layout zone that will serve Ogui Road, Emene and Thinkers’ Corner.”
Explaining how customers can order for this water, Mr. Ede said they have been able to deploy a technology in their service delivery.
“We have developed an app named ‘Water On Wheels’ which is available on apple store and goggle play store. Once any customer download and install the app, he should take note of the delivery address because that means where the water will be delivered and not basically where you live except where your residential address is your delivery address.
“Customers will be made to pay online and a driver will be assigned to you and within 3-4 hours, your water will arrive at your doorstep.”
Also commenting on the initiative, Uche Gabriel, the Chairman of EnuguOAPs commended the Ingrace Group for the project, saying that “It represents what we have been saying on air, it’s not enough to think that government can do everything.
“This is a private sector driven initiative to ameliorate the water crisis in Enugu, we are totally behind it because its progressive and as OAPs who are progressives, we think we should partner with him, we are promoting what he’s doing online and we love the project.”
You can visit www.wateronwheels.ng for more details.
