FEC okays N3.51bn for water projects in Yobe

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N5.7 billion for contracts in the ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources.

This was announced on Wednesday after the virtual federal cabinet meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Sulaiman Adamu, while briefing State House reporters, said his ministry obtained an approval for the execution of two water projects in Gashua, Yobe State.

According to him, the projects became urgently needed because of observed surge in prevalence of kidney diseases and kidney failure among people living in the Gashua region in the last few years.

He said the two water projects were approved at the sum of N3.51 billion, adding that while one is to extend water supply service to Zango and Sabongeri Lamido, the other project is for an upgrade of existing water works.

“Council today approved a memo for the execution of two contracts for Gashua Water Supply Project (phase 2) in Yobe State, (Lot A) in the sum of N1.27 billion and Lot B in the sum of N2.24 billion.”

“Essentially, one lot is for extension of the water supply service to Zango and Sabongeri Lamido, comprising of battery, boreholes, submersible pump, solar panels and so on and the other contract is for the upgrading of the existing water works, which also includes rehabilitation of some elevated tanks, provision of potable water treatment plants and a host of other ancillary facilities.

“The contract is for a period of 18 months and essentially, this contract was awarded to address the acute water supply situation in Gashua, which is well within the Sahelian region and also because in recent years there has been some prevalence of kidney diseases and kidney failures and a quick intervention was required so that we’ll be able to address this situation.

“In the interim, the National Water Resources Institute under my ministry is conducting an investigation as to why this high prevalence of kidney disease in the area. So, council graciously approved these two contracts,” he said.

During his briefing, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, said Council approved two memoranda for his ministry.

He said council approved the award of contract to Agriculture Research Institute and agencies for the production and distribution of seeds and seedlings to farmers at the cost of N2.16bn.

The minister added that the FEC also gave nod to the award of contract for the purchase of 1,014 soil test kits and soil analytical laboratory equipment to National Institute of Soil Science at the cost of N278, 858,163.

Meanwhile, the council observed a minute silence in honour of former minister of Labour and Productivity, Hussaini Akwanga, who passed on December 17, 2021, at 77.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, informed council members of his demise shortly before the commencement of the weekly meeting and urged that a minute silence be observed in his honour.

The late Akwanga served as minister in 2003 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.