Osara water scheme to generate 1,700 jobs

The N20 billion Osara potable water Scheme will generate more than 1,700 direct and indirect jobs. 

The managers of the project, Bilvisco Investments Limited, said in Lagos that the water scheme would equally serve over 300,000 households. 

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, said the project would give the people of Okehi, Adavi and Okene Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State access to potable water.

He stated this while speaking during the completion of the final stage of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the project with Bilvisco recently in Lokoja. 

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Arike, the Governor noted that the project will see to the reticulation of Osara Dam, located at Abobo, Okehi LGA, and would serve households in Osara to Abobo, Itakpe to Eika, Kuroko, Inoziomi, Anyoke. Eika Adagu, Nagazi, Ogaminana, Ozuri, and Obangede routes of the State and various districts of Ihima.

Speaking further, Bello said the project will generate over 200 direct and 1,500 indirect jobs. 

In his remarks, the State’s Commissioner For Water Resources, Abdulsalam Ozigi Deedat, said the agreement with Bilvisco will go on for about 25 years, while aggressive work is expected to commence at the site of the project any time soon.

Also, the Principal Consultant, Bilvisco, Williams Omojasola, in his remarks, said the project would significantly reduce poverty in the State, create reasonable job opportunities and lead to economic prosperity.

His words: “The implementation of this MoU will give rise to the completion of potable water supply project but would also alleviate the sufferings of citizens from acute shortage of water and improve economic activities.

“When fully implemented, the project would have positive effects on thousands of homes and businesses. It is estimated that when completed, it would create over 200 direct and 1500 indirect jobs.”

He noted that phase two and three of the project would treat and deliver the total capacity of 21 cubic meters of potable water to the various locations in and around Kogi central, saying the project would invoke modern treatment water plant.