By Azuka Offor
As part of ongoing efforts to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security in Anambra State, the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Casmir Chinenye Agummadu, on June 11, inspected the ongoing installation of a power transformer at the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project (LAIP), Ifite-Ogwari, in Ayamelum Local Government Area.
The transformer project, facilitated by the Anambra State Government following a request from the Ministry of Agriculture, is designed to provide a stable and reliable electricity supply to the irrigation scheme’s pumping stations and other critical facilities required for efficient agricultural operations.
During the inspection, Engr. Agummadu reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to supporting initiatives that promote food security, economic growth, and all season farming through the provision of essential infrastructure.
The Lower Anambra Irrigation Project, managed by the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority (AIRBDA), is one of the largest agricultural development projects in the South-East. Located primarily within the Ifite-Ogwari and Omor communities, the project was established to enhance rice production and other crop cultivation through modern irrigation practices.
Over the years, the irrigation scheme has undergone extensive rehabilitation and modernization to address the challenges associated with rain fed agriculture. The restoration of irrigation canals and improvements in water management systems have enabled farmers to cultivate crops throughout the year, resulting in increased productivity and improved livelihoods.
The installation of the transformer is expected to further enhance the efficiency of the irrigation project by ensuring uninterrupted power supply for water pumping operations, thereby supporting multiple planting and harvesting cycles annually.
The project continues to benefit thousands of farming households across the area by reducing dependence on seasonal rainfall and creating opportunities for increased agricultural output, job creation, and rural economic development.
Communities expected to benefit directly from the improved power infrastructure include Ifite-Ogwari, Omor, Umueje, and other neighbouring settlements within the agricultural corridor.
The Anambra State Government remains committed to investing in strategic infrastructure that drives agricultural transformation, enhances food production, and improves the socio economic well being of the people.
The transformer installation underscores the government’s determination to provide the reliable electricity infrastructure needed to maximize the full potential of the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project and sustain year-round farming across the state.
Azuka Offor is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
