Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu on Thursday commissioned a Regional Water Supply Scheme in Otuoke Community to provide portable water to Otueke and 12 communities in Central Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The Otueke Regional Water Scheme aimed at reducing the incidences of water borne diseases by providing sustainable portable water supply was completed by the Federal Government at the total cost of N5, 886,927,480 and handed over to the Bayelsa State Government.
Speaking at the commissioning, Engineer Adamu said the project was a demonstration that the Buhari’s Administration was committed in completing all viable projects that will positively impact the lives of the people without any form of political sentiment.
He said: “The Change Agenda’ is intended to bring positive impact on the lives of Nigerians. Ours is a responsible and responsive government, which reorganize the imperative to continue with policies and programmes that are beneficial to the country.
“With the commissioning, I’m convinced that water born disease will be curtailed to the barest minimum, sanitation and personal hygiene will be improved and income generation will be enhanced, which will bring out a positive change in the overall socio economic well being of the beneficiary communities.”
He urged the state government to ensure that the water scheme is sustainably operated and maintained so as to provide long term services to the people living in the communities, noting that, “the communities should demonstrate gratitude to the former President, Goodluck Jonathan who initiated the project and to the President Buhari who found it appropriate in ensuring its completion.”
Mrs. Rabi Jimeta, Permanent Sectary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources represented by Engr Ajisegiri Benson, Director of Water Supply, Federal Ministry of Water Resources said the project work construction include, “Construction of six productive boreholes drilled to a depth of 250 meter each to supply raw water to the treatment plant.
“A water treatment plant with installed capacity of 3,600m3/day comprising of sedimentation/Aeration tanks, Dosing unit and Filtration unit will treat the water to the drinking water standard of world health organization.
“The treated water will be stored in four (4) steel ground level reservoirs in a total capacity of 3,600m3.
“Two (2) water towers at a height of 20meter with a capacity of 900m3 each, will allow the water pressure to distribute the treated water.
“Construction of Filter Pump house, Administrative Office and Staff Quarters of 2bedrooms and one bedroom
.
“Construction of three (3) Booster Stations at strategic locations (Immiringi, Emayal and Onuwebum) to allow water to reach every part of the 13 communities namely; Otueke, Otuwabe, Onuwebun, Emayal I, Emayal II, Otukpoti, Otuegori, Agbura, Ewoi, Emiringi, Kolo I, Kolo II, Kolo III.”
Senator Ben Murray Bruce, representing Bayelsa East Constituency said the project was historic.
He said: “Water is critical for us as humans, clean water saves life, people have died because of bad water, they fall sick and they don’t have lot of resources. And the project will impact positively in the lives of our people.”
*Photo shows Engr. Adamu, Minister of Water Resources and some dignitaries, commissioning Otueke water scheme.
