Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has commissioned the newly rehabilitated New Bussa Water Works in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Segun Imohiosen, the Director, Information in the OSGF revealed this in a statement signed on Wednesday.
SGF, who was represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi declared that the project, which aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6, aimed to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation.
He said the project was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to improve the living standards of citizens and achieve sustainable development, and that the project was a testament to the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the people of New Bussa, who have long struggled with access to potable water, despite having so much water around them.
Sen. Akume urged the people of New Bussa to take ownership of the project, use water judiciously, and pay their water bills regularly to ensure continuous operation and maintenance.
He also called on community leaders to lead by example and work closely with the water authority to address any challenges that may arise, while he thanked the leadership of N-HYPPADEC, particularly the Managing Director, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa for working tirelessly to bring the project to fruition.
The Managing Director, National Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa said the Commission had provided a state-of-the-art water treatment and distribution system, modern laboratory facilities, vehicles, motorcycles and chemicals for water treatment.
Yelwa said: “New Bussa holds a special place in the history of electricity development in Nigeria. As a resettled community, it has borne the brunt of hydroelectric power generation since the construction of Kainji Dam in the 1960s.
“For decades, the irony was not lost on us – a town that sacrificed its original lands for the nation’s power supply struggled with basic amenities, particularly water. Today, we begin to right that historical wrong”.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, who was represented by the Commissioner, Niger State Ministry of Water Resources and Dams Development, Barrister Yahaya Alhassan Gwagwa, commended the outcome of the partnership with N-HYPPADEC towards improved potable water supply in the State.
He further assured the Federal Government of the State’s firm commitment to operationalise, maintain, protect and preserve the assets.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Haliru Dantoro, among others.
