SOWEDA inaugurates solar-powered potable water scheme in Inokun

A giant water project constructed within the Solar-Powered Potable Water Scheme by the South West Development Authority, SOWEDA, to the tune of 45 million in the Inokun village, Eyumojock Sub-division, Manyu Division has been commissioned.

The ceremony that took place on Monday the 28th of March 2016 in Inokun was chaired by the Senior Divisional Officer for Manyu, Peter Tieh Nde accompanied by SOWEDA’s General Manager Dr. Andrew Ngome.

The Solar-Powered Potable Water Scheme, the second-ever in the South West Region, have a constructed stream catchment and overhead storage tank and also a supply and distribution pipeline of assorted pipes.

The treatment station and Pump Sump contains an up flow roughing filter, slow sand filter and the pump sump. In the Pumping system, solar panels with a collector for direct supply to pump, submersible pump of Tmh=50, Q=201/min-601/min-1001/min and a control system including protective devices makes the water system unique.

The Stand pipes, high point, low point chambers, valve chambers, stream crossing with GI 50 mm and concrete support on both ends including a fenced treatment station have been adequately constructed and equipped.

The micro-credit facility is an embodiment of recent measures adopted to sustain accurate water supply in local communities. The project falls within the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry 2015 Public Investment Budget to carry out the construction of the Inukon water scheme worth over 45 million francs.

Inokun is the second after the Njeke rehabilitation water Scheme still in Eyumojock sub-division, Manyu division constructed by SOWEDA. The water scheme was built with modern technology that makes use of renewable energy.

Speaking during the technical presentation, ASHU Stephen, SOWEDA’s Chief of Infrastructure told the inhabitants that “This water scheme we have just put in place in Inokun village is a solar pumping system.

When we got here we realized that Inokun have surface water and in surface water you need treatment, and so we harnessed this surface water, constructed the catchment structure and channeled it to the biological treatment station. The treatment station is a combination of the up flow gravel filter and a slow sand filter, so filtration takes place in three different chambers”.

Ashu Stephen added that the system has five panels that make up 1600 watts and with the submersible pump that pumps to the overhead storage tank. The capacity of the tank is 20 cubic meters and it is designed to last for 25 years.

Peter Tieh Nde, Manyu SDO sounded a note of caution through the management committee that no washing of dresses, bikes, and dishes should be allowed in the area. He stated the resolved by government to constantly ensure the wellbeing of her citizens with Inokun being no exception.

The mayor of the Eyumojock council, Julius Nkom noted that it was a healthy transformation to the Inokun community in particular and the Eyumojock municipality. The 66 villages that make up the Eyumojock sub-division he said are all short of water supply.

For his part, the General Manager of the South West Development Authority, SOWEDA, Dr. Andrew Ngome observed that the 45 million francs project was highly commended as Cameroon makes it moves towards emergence 2035.

Dr. Ngome pleaded for a well-coordinated control over the water system so as to guarantee its durability and to serve the community adequately.

The SOWEDA Boss announced the training of a local management team to be put in place in the weeks ahead.