By Samuel Atuluku
The Kogi State Government has commenced the process of restoring potable water supply to Lokoja and its environs with the formal handover of the Greater Lokoja Water Works to Gamji Nigeria Company Limited for emergency electro-mechanical rehabilitation.
The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya M. D. Farouk, FNSE, performed the handover ceremony at the facility on Monday, directing the contractor to mobilise to the site immediately and complete the assignment within four months.
The contract, recently approved by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, is part of the administration’s renewed efforts to address the prolonged water supply challenges confronting residents of Lokoja and neighbouring communities.
Farouk described the handover as a major milestone in the state government’s commitment to delivering essential services, noting that the people had waited patiently for the restoration of reliable public water supply.
“The people have been so patient, and the government has shown this commitment to effective service delivery. This is another milestone, and today is one of my happiest days and indeed memorable,” he said.
The commissioner explained that Gamji Nigeria Company Limited was selected based on its track record of quality performance in water-related projects across Nigeria and beyond.
He urged the company to justify the confidence reposed in it by maintaining high professional standards, ensuring quality workmanship and delivering the project within the stipulated timeframe.
Farouk also directed the interim management team of the facility to provide the contractor with the necessary cooperation and access to ensure uninterrupted execution of the rehabilitation work.
He expressed optimism that the high-lift pumping station would be ready for test-running before the end of December 2026.
The commissioner, however, clarified that the electro-mechanical rehabilitation represents only the first phase of the broader intervention, adding that civil works would commence immediately after the current phase while pumping operations continue.
“It is important to note, too, that this rehabilitation work by Gamji is just a phase, and I can assure you that the civil work will commence immediately after this phase. The pumping will be ongoing, while the civil work will commence.
“The government is really committed to this project, and there is no going back, having taken it as a priority project,” Farouk added.
In his response, the Team Lead of Gamji Nigeria Company Limited, Engr. Michael Oko, assured the state government that the company would deliver the project within the four-month contractual period and in accordance with the required technical standards.
Oko pledged that work would begin immediately, promising close collaboration with the facility’s management to ensure smooth implementation and successful completion.
“There will be no hindrance as work will commence immediately. We are competent and must deliver on good record time,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Alhassan Omakoji, described the handover as a long-awaited development for the people of Lokoja.
He commended the state government’s commitment to infrastructure development and urged the contractor to demonstrate professionalism, accountability and diligence in executing the assignment.
Similarly, the General Manager of the Kogi State Water Board, Engr. Lawal Momoh Jimoh, praised the commissioner’s leadership and expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo for responding to the water needs of the people.
The rehabilitation is expected to restore the operational capacity of the Greater Lokoja Water Works and improve access to potable water across Lokoja and surrounding communities.
With the contractor expected to complete the assignment within four months, the state government is hopeful that the intervention will significantly ease the water supply challenges facing residents by January 2027.
