Jubilation as abandoned community water scheme is unveiled in Niger

The Federal Government, recognising the fact that New Bussa, as a resettled town, has unique challenges despite the presence of several federal parastatals and military outfits in the area yet lacking basic amenities, on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, commissioned a much-needed water project in New Bussa, Borgu local government area of Niger State, as a first step towards rectifying that imbalance.

According to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the commissioning ceremony of the water scheme project that had been abandoned for over 30 years, “mothers will no longer have to worry about the safety of the water they give their children. Hours previously spent fetching water can now be redirected 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.”

The SGF, who was represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the Federal Government through the National Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) is resolving water challenges in many of its host communities especially in New Bussa. Water they say is life; water is believed to be the foundation of health, education and economic development.

Water has a remarkable impact on the lives of residents of any community. The lack or presence of clean potable water in a community affects the living standard of residents of the community.

That was why the recent commissioning and handing over of the New Bussa Waterworks by N-HYPPADEC to the Niger State government, was remarkable and heartwarming.

The inauguration threw the people of New Bussa and environs into jubilation with commendation and prayers for N-HYPPADEC, for partnering with the state government to comprehensively reconstruct the New Bussa Waterworks, which resulted in resolving their age-long challenge.

The completion of the project is, no doubt, a clear demonstration of the excellent working relationship between the Niger State government and N-HYPPADEC for the benefit of New Bussa and environ that will alleviate the acute water shortage which will improve livelihoods and promote socio-economic development.

The SGF though threw a word of caution to the people of the area, “there is, however, the need for residents of New Bussa to take ownership of the project to ensure that it is protected jealously. It should be stated clearly that N-HYPPADEC has done their part, the success and sustainability of the project will greatly depend on the residents of the area and 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 these facilities as their own. They must use the water judiciously and pay their water bills regularly to ensure continued operation and maintenance,” Akume warned.

He further stated that they should protect the pipelines and other infrastructure from vandalism. He noted that children and all residents of the area must be educated on the importance of water conversation.

The Farmer Governor

The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, who is the number one farmer in the state said the provision of sustainable potable water remained the driving force of socio-economic development in every society; hence, his government has made provision of water a cardinal objective for residents.

The governor was represented by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Alhaji Suleiman Umar.

According to him, “our state is blessed with abundant water resources, which is required to be optimally harnessed for potable water supply, agriculture, navigation, industrialisation and recreation.

“However, there is still a significant facility deficit, inspite 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. To achieve this and make the sector sustainable will require investments from both public and the private sector. Indeed, we are leveraging on partnerships such as this to achieve our goals in the sector.”

According to him, the residents of the area believe that the commissioning of the project will boost the food security initiative in the agricultural sector which is one of the focal areas of the President Tinubu administration.

They also insisted that the water supply from this scheme will be of immense benefit to households and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for improved activities.

Royal blessings

At the commissioning and handing over ceremony, the Emir of Borgu, Dr. Muhammed Sani Haliru-Dantoro, while speaking said: “Today’s commissioning is a half century-old promise kept by the Nigerian State, as well as a dream come true for the people of Borgu.

“About 60 years ago, when our lands were impounded 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 – i.e. provision of potable 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 potable water for over 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.”

N-HYPPADEC boss says it’s a dream come true

The Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, on his part, said the improvements on the New Bussa water works represent a new dawn for the citizens. According to him, the system that was once dilapidated has been transformed into a modern and efficient water works that will serve the town and its environs for generations to come.

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

He therefore commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the project and ensuring its completion. He added that the project has been ongoing for nearly seven decades, which has been a cause for sleepless nights for residents of the community, but that, “When
N- 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.

He said, “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.”

Describing 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.

Yelwa added that the filter media system has been completely overhauled. We have de-mudded the sedimentation tank and installed a motorized 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-litre clear water tank and the 10-million-litre township reservoir, to increase water storage capacity. A new booster station has been constructed, featuring a 1-million-litre Braithwaite tank.

This will 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.

“We have expanded the distribution network by 7 kilometres, using 160mm pipes and an additional 3 kilometres of 100mm pipes, to bring water closer to more homes and businesses. The old piping network has been rehabilitated, and we have supplied maintenance materials for future upkeep.

Some prominent indigenes of the area who spoked to The Guardian expressed delight over the total overhauling of the water scheme, assuring that no stone will be left unturned towards taking over the ownership of the project by providing adequate security measures to protect it from vandalisation.