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.