New Rivers: Expanding Water Supply

Vintage

By Simeon Nwakaudu

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was given the  mandate by  the  good people of the state  because they believe in his capacity  to deliver democracy  dividends in all sectors.

One key area that  Governor Wike  pledged that he would  improve  the  fortune  of the people of the state is the provision of potable water.

During the campaigns, Governor Wike in his development blueprint: New Rivers Development Blueprint declared on page 12 that: “The New Vision  seeks to  ensure regular access to potable water for all residents of Rivers State.  For this purpose, our government will address the issue of water security and ensure that public water flows to private homes and public places”

Since assuming office as Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has taken  profound  steps to resuscitate and rehabilitate several existing and abandoned water schemes in different  communities of the state.

The governor  has also  developed new water schemes to ensure that residents in different localities  of the state have access to potable water.

In his first year  in office, the governor  revived several water schemes in different communities of the state.  Two major water schemes were completed in Eleme Local Government Area.

Heading to his second  year in office,  Governor Wike  has completed  the Okrika Island Water Scheme. This  water scheme has the capacity  to supply  water to communities  of the Okrika Island.

This recently  completed  project by the Wike administration  which is currently  being  test run has replaced  the obsolete  water infrastructure  in Okrika Island.

The Okrika Island Water Scheme has witnessed the setting up of a functional

water distribution network on the Island with the replacement of the  hitherto  obsolete water  reticulation  infrastructure.

Commenting on the Okrika Island Water Scheme, Rivers State Commissioner of Water Resources, Chief Walter Ibibia said: “The contract for the upgrade of the Okrika Island Municipal Water Scheme Phase 1 was originally awarded by the Rivers State Special Committee for Development of Coastal Communities on April 11, 2007 to Messrs Witcom Services Limited.

“The project scope as originally awarded was limited to the construction and erection of a 100,000 imperial gallons overhead water tank complete with accessories and a few ancillary works in the pumping station.

“However, the project was abandoned mid-way at the inception of the last administration due to non-payment of executed and certified works, several months after project inspection and certification by the Rivers State Special Committee for Development of Coastal Communities.”

The water project in Okrika  was a fallout  of the pledge  that Governor Wike  made to the people of the area that he is committed to developing a modern source of drinking water.

The project  has been modernised, with an enhanced  design and 10 kilometre reticulation  to reach more communities. The funding  of  this significant  project was done religiously  by Governor Wike.

The Okrika  people  are happy  with Governor Wike  for his execution of the key water project in the area. This project  has improved the living condition of the people and helped to check the menace of Water borne diseases.

Working with the UNICEF  and the European Union  (EU) Niger Delta Support Programme, the Wike administration  is providing 22  water and sanitation  facilities for 11 communities  in Akuku-Toru and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.

The benefitting Communities in Akuku-Toru LGA are: 1. Idama 2. Obonoma 3. Oluapoku 4. Agudama 5. Sangama 6. Elem Sangama

Those in Opobo/Nkoro LGA include : 1. Ayaminima 2. Kyoko 3. Iwoama Nkoro 4. Olom Nkoro  5. Ottoni. Each community  listed  has a water and a sanitation project.

For the 22 projects in Akuku-Toru and Opobo/ NkoroLocal Government Areas, Governor Wike  has already released N200million  as counterpart  fund  for their speedy execution.

Of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, the Wike administration is rehabilitating  moribund  water projects in 18 local government areas.

These water projects are targeted at improving  access to potable  water in the respective  communities, while the state government is working with UNICEF to check open defecation.

The Wike administration  has concluded  the preliminary process for the Port Harcourt Water Supply and Sanitation Project.

The Port Harcourt Water Supply and Sanitation Project is a joint venture between the African Development Bank, the World Bank and the Rivers State Government.  This  project  will take care of water supply and sanitation in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.

Under the project, water schemes will be constructed across Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, backed with massive reticulation  infrastructure  in the city.

Rambol Environ of Denmark who are the project management consultants have  been  in Port Harcourt  since 2016 reviewing the project design, engaging  stakeholders , embarking on approved study tours and training  critical technical  personnel  to drive the project.

The International Agencies  working in partnership with the Rivers State Government to enhance water supply in the state  have expressed their commitment  to  the  success  of selected projects.

The UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) specialist in Rivers State, Martha Hokanya said that the agency was partnering with the  Rivers State Government to reach over 10,000 people with improved access to safe water in Akuku-Toru and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas, through the support of the European Union under the Niger Delta support programme

Hokonya  said that efforts would be made to reach an additional 75,000 people by the end of the year under the partnership.

Fundamentally, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has established a  framework  to ensure that access to water is comprehensively  addressed to the advantage of the people.

Governor Wike stated that his commitment  to  adequate  water supply  stems from the fact that it helps to check the outbreak  of water-borne diseases. The governor is also strengthening  partnerships  across international lines to develop  a sustainable  platform  for  the  people to always access water.

Governor Wike’s  outstanding  achievements  in the water supply sector can be better appreciated  from the standpoint of the extreme deplorable  water situation  he inherited  from the immediate past APC administration in the state.

Governor Wike is rebuilding  the  water supply infrastructure neglected  by the immediate past administration  for eight years.  So far, so much success has been  achieved, as more communities  are benefitting.  By the time the governor  completes his second term, majority of Rivers communities  will have access to potable  water.

Governor Wike’s declaration is simple: “It is our priority by the special Grace of God to provide potable water to every community “