From Yakubu Mustapha Minna
National Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has taken over the finances of Mana Water works for complete rehabilitation to ease access to clean portable water in Bida town and environs of the Local Government Area of Niger state.
Managing Director of the Commission Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa disclosed this when he led a team of professionals from the commission and the Niger State Ministry of Water Resources to the area which will cost over N200 million for its resuscitation and expansion
Sadiq Yelwa who explained that Bida town for half a decade have been battling acute water shortage for drinking and domestic works said the project aside ending water shortage, would also put an end to water-borne diseases, as the people of Bida and it’s environs will now get pipe-borne water for drinking and domestic work.
The MD expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done in the area, attributing it the good job to the engineers drafted by the Commission and the State Water Board, who are providing technical support to the ongoing water project which is at 60% completion.
He explained that the commission’s area office in Bida would sustain the supervision and monitoring of the project however applauded president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led administration commitment to the N HYPPADEC communities in the country.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sa’ed Samira Investment, Shafi’yi Yabagi said the project covers upgrading of eleven KVA line to thirty three KVA line, expansion , reticulation and provision of more booster stations, treatment plant, distribution pipelines, reservoir, among others
The project Engineer Amidu Muhammad hinted that the project was initially awarded by the state government in 2017 at over N100 million but was abandoned untill recent intervention of N-HYPPADEC when completed will be able to treat 10,000 cubic meters per hour to ease the suffering of about two million beneficiaries
The Assistant Area Manager Muhammad Yahaya described the situation of the area before N-HYPPADEC intervention as terrible, saying that the completion of the project will bring succour to the plight of the citizens in Bida town and environs.
He lamented that before the intervention of entire power line was completely vandalized, adding that the water works which can pump over 10,000 litres per hour was not working to its capacity due to lack of power supply hence its completely down over 10 years ago.