THE Niger government said it has procured 50 water pumping machines worth N3 billion between 2015 and 2018. Mamman Musa, the Commissioner for Water Resources made the disclosure at a news conference in Minna.

Musa said that the procurement was part of measures to overhaul water facilities to improve urban, semi-urban and rural water schemes across the 25 local government areas in the state.

“The Niger government has spent N3 billion to purchase water pumps to improve water schemes in the state,” he said.

He said that in order to ensure sustainability, the ministry embarked on staff training to handle the high-tech water pumping machines and accessories.

The commissioner said that the ongoing work on the water facilities across the state had reached 95 per cent completion.

He said that government recently inaugurated the Izom water treatment plant in Gurara Local Government Area of the state established at the cost of N410 million.

Musa said the government also acquired six heavy duty generator sets to tackle the problem of epileptic power supply at the water facilities but did not give the cost implication of the equipment.

He noted that a recent assessment carried out to change damaged water pipes and water reticulation in Minna metropolis revealed that the project would cost N85 billion.

The commissioner said that water supply, “which is almost a social service to the people, is capital intensive which   necessitated the  government to reach out to foreign partners to collaborate to develop its water sector.’’

According to him, some of the partners include the USAID and the French Development Company.

He said that each of the partners would commit eight million dollars and 66 million dollars.

Musa said that government was also discussing with the World Bank to secure soft loan to improve the state’s water sector. (NAN)

– Mar. 1, 2019 @ 13:12 GMT |