… As it commences 72 boreholes in five states

The Federal Government on Thursday read a riot act to water contractors with a warning that the government would not entertain any substandard contract execution in the Expanded Water Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) Projects.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, gave the warning at the 2022/2023 PEWASH project implications take-off meeting held in Abuja.

The minister said in the 2022/2023 PEWASH project ,72 simple solar-powered borehole water projects would be executed across five states in the country.

Prof. Utsev represented by the Director of Water Supply, Dr.Nichola Madu said already,” counterpart Projects matching” based on the PEWASH Protocol has been signed with the five States Governments.

He noted that some of the challenges in the WASH sector have been linked to frequent water supply system failure, occasioned by majorly non-adherence to contract specifications and poor construction practices, resulting in the abandonment of dysfunctional systems.

He emphasised that the Ministry recognises qualitative and timely project delivery to its beneficiary rural communities and will therefore not accept a transfer of contract from one party to another; deviation from the contract’s specifications, terms, and conditions; and delay in the contract’s execution.

“Thus, I enjoin you to strictly follow the laid down guidelines from commencement to completion,” he said.