Water they say is life. Water is believed to be the foundation of health, education and economic development.

It has a remarkable impact on the lives. Lack of potable water in a community affects the living standards of residents of any community. It has implications for hygiene also.

Women and children spend valuable time in the rural areas in search of drinking water. That time could have been spent in pursuit of other social and economic activities.

A UNICEF report says poor water supply and sanitation costs Nigerian economy about 1.3 per cent of her annual GDP. This roughly translates to 1.9 trillion naira.

“These losses are reflected in lost productivity due to water and sanitation-related diseases, time spent accessing water and sanitation services, and the lost in human capacity in malnutrition and mortality’’, it said. 

New Buss in Niger is one of the communities in Nigeria where, in spite of its abundant hydro resources, availability of potable water remained a challenge until recently inauguration and handing over of the New Bussa Waterworks.

The projected was executed and handed over to Niger government by the Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC).

On Tuesday, July 31, the joy of the residents of New Bussa knew no bounds as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, inaugurated their water scheme project which has been abandoned for over 30 years.

The inauguration of this all important project threw the people of New Bussa and its environs into jubilation with commendation and positive prayers for N-HYPPADEC and the state government.

READ ALSO: Youth group lauds rehabilitation of water scheme in Niger 

The completion of project is, no doubt, a clear demonstration of the excellent working relationship between the Niger State government with N-HYPPADEC for the benefit of New Bussa and its environs.

The Emir of Borgu, Dr Muhammed Sani Haliru-Dantoro, said: “The commissioning is a half century-old promise kept by the Nigerian State, as well as a dream come true for the people of New Bussa and its environs.

“About 60 years ago, when impoundment of our lands commenced in the early 1960s to make way for the Kainji Lake, Dam and Power Station, the people of old Bussa were promised the most basic of human necessities by the Nigerian government through the Kainji Dam Authority –provision of portable water.

“Whereas old Bussa was located right on the banks of River Niger, New Bussa to which our people were resettled, is as far as 10km away from the shores of Kainji Lake, where waters are stagnant and therefore not ideal for human consumption.

“ That the residents of New Bussa and environs endured the lack of portable water these past over half a century is an indication of the patriotic zeal and maturity of Borgu people.

“This lack of portable water for so long a time evokes even more emotive feelings, considering the presence of Nigeria’s largest lake in Borgu.”

The Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, commended the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government for supporting the project and ensuring its completion.

The project, according to him, has been ongoing for nearly seven decades “but when HYPPADDEC came, we made it our prime activity and it has now been completed.”

Explaining how the project began, the managing director recalled that the procurement process was initiated in 2022.

“In February 2023, we awarded 10 lots of this project, each designed to address a specific aspect of the water supply challenge in New Bussa.”

On the magnitude of the project, Alhaji Sadiq-Yelwa said: “We have installed high-quality KSB intake, high lift and booster station pumps, complete with starter panels and a main electrical distribution system.

“This forms the heart of the new water works, ensuring reliable water supply. The filter media system has been completely overhauled.

“We have de-mudded the sedimentation tank and installed a motorised stirrer. Two new air blowers have been supplied, with one repaired, to ensure proper backwash of the filter media.

“We have de-mudded and fenced both the 1-million-litter clear water tank and the 10-million-litter township reservoir, to increase water storage capacity. A new booster station has been constructed, featuring a 1-million-litter Braithwaite tank.

It is expected that this would boost water supply to both the native resettled town and the new layout of New Bussa.

“We have supplied water treatment chemicals sufficient for one year operation. This includes 164 buckets of chlorine, 270 tons of aluminum sulphate and 20 tons of soda ash. The in-house laboratory has been renovated and equipped with cutting-edge technology, to ensure that the water supplied meets the highest standards of quality and hygiene.

“We have renovated and fenced the entire water treatment complex, the staff quarters and the office complex.

“To support operations and maintenance, we have provided a project vehicle and five Bajaj motorcycles’’, he said.

According to him the agency expanded the distribution network by 7 Kilometers, using 160mm pipes and an additional 3 kilometers of 100mm pipes, to bring water closer to more homes and businesses.

He said the the old piping network has been rehabilitated, and maintenance materials for future upkeep supplied.

“These improvements represent a new dawn for New Bussa. We have transformed a system that was once dilapidated into a modern and efficient water works.

“I am glad to announce that the water to be supplied by this rehabilitated station conforms to World Health Organisation (WHO) standards”, he said.

The Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, while inaugurating the project, said: “it is about transforming lives.

“Mothers will no longer have to worry about the safety of the water they give their children.

He said that hours previously spent fetching water could now be dedicated to education, farming, business and family.

“The improved water supply will boost public health and reduce the incidence of water-borne diseases.

“It will support local businesses, attract investment and contribute to the overall development of New Bussa town and environs’’, he said.

Gov. Mohammed Bago said potable water remained the driving force of socioeconomic development in every society hence his government made it one its cardinal objectives.

“Our state is blessed with abundant water resources which require to be optimally harnessed for potable water supply, agriculture, navigation, industrialisation and recreation.

READ ALSO: FG inaugurates water scheme for Niger communities

“However, there is still a significant facility deficit, in spite of the progress made in the past. We are committed to a sound infrastructure replacement and expansion programme in the sector.

“It is important to state that this administration has made rehabilitation and resuscitation of the water sector one of the cardinal objectives of our New Niger Agenda.

“We must appreciate that the water sector is capital intensive and requires huge investment to address the existing deficit in the sector.’’, the governor said.

There is, however, the need for residents of the New Bussa to take ownership of the project to ensure that it is protected jealously.

The N-HYPPADEC has done its part, the success and sustainability of the project will greatly depend on the residents of the area and its environs.

The government has made this significant investment, but its long-term impact relies heavily on the way you handle it.

The residents of the area must treat this facility as their own. They must use the water judiciously, and pay their water bills regularly to ensure continued operation and maintenance.

It is only by so doing that its impact would be maximally felt by the society.