FG inaugurates water scheme for Niger communities

Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has inaugurated a water scheme for communities in Borgu Local Council of Niger State. The waterworks, which was first built in 1983, has over years provided potable water to the inhabitants until it went moribund two decades ago.

Moved the people’s plight, the National Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), as part of its statutory functions of providing succour to the six states under its purview, rehabilitated and expanded the water scheme.

Inaugurating the project in New Bussa, Akume said the project exemplifies the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the lives of citizens at the grassroots, adding that for quite a while, the people of New Bussa had contended with the challenge of accessing clean drinkable water.
 
Represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the SGF maintained that the improved water supply would boost public health and reduce incidence of water-borne diseases, support local businesses, attract investments and contribute to the overall development of New Bussa Town and environs.
 
“Federal Government recognises that New Bussa, as a resettled town, has unique challenges despite the presence of several federal parastatals and military outfits. Basic amenities have been lacking,” stating water project is a step towards rectifying that imbalance.

He urged the people, especially community leaders, to embrace the project and work closely with the authority to address any challenge that might arise in the future,
 
In his keynote address, Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago emphasised that provision of sustainable water remains the driving force of socio-economic development in every society.
 
Represented by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Suleiman Umar, the governor stated that the water scheme would sustainably address the perennial thirst in New Bussa and environs for decades.
 
Earlier, Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC, Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, said the rehabilitated water work targets not only infrastructure upgrade, but also a transformation in the quality of life for the people of the historic town and environs.