The Federal Government yesterday commissioned the N5.8 billion Central Ogbia Regional Water Supply Project in Otuoke, hometown of former president GoodLuck Jonathan in Bayelsa State.
The project, started in 2011, is expected to supply 3.6 million litres of water every day to 13 communities in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at the event, the minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, said the project would curtail incidences of water borne diseases and improve sanitation and personal hygiene in the benefiting communities.
The minister said the Buhari administration was committed to completing all viable projects that have positive impact on the lives of the people without any political sentiment and pleaded with the benefitting communities to guard and make good use of the project.
Earlier, the Director, Water Supply in the ministry, Mr. Benson Ajisegiri, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Rabi Jimeta, said treated water from the project had been subjected to laboratory tests and found to conform to national and international standards of drinking water.
The paramount ruler of the Otuoke community, Chief U. Otache, commended the Buhari administration for completing the project which he described as the first of its kind in recent years in the community.
He said the community had been battling with the challenge of getting potable water, bad roads and lack of electricity and called on the federal government to assist his people.
The Bayelsa State government, which was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Serena Dokubo Spiff, described the project as “gold” to the people of the community, and assured that the state would ensure its maintenance.
The state governor had earlier lauded President Muhammad Buhari’s completion of the project started by former president Goddluck Jonathan despite the political differences, saying such differences should always be ignored when dealing with community development.
The benefiting communities include Otuwabe, Onuwebun, Emayal 1 and 2, Otukpoti, Otuegori, zag burs, Ewoi, Emiringi, Kolo 1,2 and 3.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
