From John Adams, Minna
After 20 years of abandonment, the Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has awarded N1.2 billion contracts for the total overhauling and reticulation of New Bussa Waterworks in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The waterworks have been left unattended by every successful administration in the state, leaving the People of host communities of the Kainji Hydro Electricity dam with the acute scarcity of water for the past 20 years.
HYPPADEC Managing Director Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa while speaking at the contract signing and handing over ceremony of the project at the site in New Bussa, said the rehabilitation work, when completed, will bring to an end the over 20 years of acute water scarcity in New Bussa and its environs.
Sadiq Yelwa disclosed that the contract is for a duration of six months for its completion and therefore warned the contractors to adhere strictly to the contract specifications so as to have value for money.
The Managing Director who was represented by the Director, Community and Rural Development Directorate of the commission, Dr Mahmud Mohammed Umar, described the water project as very critical to the life of the people of Borgu and its environs and urged the community to support and take ownership of the project for their overall benefits.
The Director Operations, Engr Ilyasu Abdullahi Wara in a separate remarks, explained that the contract is divided into 7 Lots to various contractors to ensure speedy completion within the duration and at the same time meet the specification
He added that the project consists of a technical and booster station of one million litres pump house, tank rehabilitation, utility vehicles, laboratory equipment, reticulation system and 7km expansion of distribution, rehabilitation of the entire water works building and 3km expansion of old township and maintenance among others.
The Niger State Managing Director, Water and Siwage Cooperation, represented by Gimba Isah said that this would ensure provision of healthy and maximum portable water supply to the People, and urged the people to support the efforts of the commission and ensure the maintenance of the waterworks when completed for effective and efficient service delivery.
Borgu local government chairman, Suleiman Yerima commended the kind gesture of HYPPADEC, noting that the community has suffered over the years for lack of potable water as a result of the decayed and expansion of the Borgu town and communities.
The Emir of Borgu Alhaji Mohammed Sani Dantoro represented by the Wazirin Borgu, Alhaji Bala Sa’adu thanked the commission for the intervention which he said will bring an end to the long period of hardship and suffering of the people from water scarcity.