DTSG MOVES TO ENHANCE WATER SECURITY
….To Approve 80 Water Projects Soon
Hon Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Hon Samuel Mariere, inspecting a water scheme at Okuredafe-Okpara, Ethiope East LGA.
THE Delta State Government in line with Millennium Development Goal 7, has taken concrete steps to ensure improved access and availability of potable water to Deltans, by approving the construction and rehabilitation of 80 water projects across the state, subject to procurement processes.
This was disclosed by the Honorable Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Hon. Samuel Mariere, during the inspection of several rural water projects in Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Udu and Ethiope East Local government areas of the state, yesterday.
According to the commissioner, the inspection tour embarked by him and his team, was necessary to observe the state of the water facilities and make improvements on areas where there are challenges, to ensure service delivery to the citizens of the State.
“We are embarking on this inspection tour to improve on our mandate as the Ministry in charge of water, because as they say, water is life. We need to bridge the gap and bring these dividends to our people. We are working both day and night to ensure that water flows in every home in the State”, he said.
Hon. Mariere also mentioned that some of the projects would also be sponsored by some of their international partners, such as the World Bank and assured Deltans that those funds for the earmarked projects would be put to judicious use for the benefit of a Deltans. Just as he promised that the Warri and Ughelli water scheme would soon become operational.
Mariere also mentioned that plans were underway to properly implement the Water Committee (WashCom) model, for protection, maintenance and management of water facilities across the state. According to him, the committee would be made of up locals, whose task would be to manage these water schemes, as they would be interfacing with the ministry about problems facing some of the schemes. He further added that, the ministry would also explore other avenues, with the aid of technology, to prevent and discourage vandalism of water projects, while prosecuting those caught, engaging in such acts.
In his remarks, the General Manager of the Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Engr. Clement Adiotomre, assured Deltans that his agency is working assiduously to ensure that there is noticeable improvement in water delivery in the rural areas of the State, while charging community leaders to take ownership of the water projects domiciled in their communities, to ensure that the facilities run without hitches.
