by crossriverwatch admin
Few months after commissioning the N5.3 billion Ikom Water Scheme, the Cross River State Government has signed a N2.6 billion contract agreement for the construction of Ogoja Water scheme with a Chinese firm CGC.
The project is expected to be completed in 18 months.
According to the government, “Once completed, the project will increase access to potable water in the state to about 80 percent.”
The state Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Etowa Elemi signed on behalf of the state while the Managing Director of CGC Nigeria Limited Mr. Ye Sejiun signed on behalf of the company.
Governor Liyel Imoke said the “Provision of potable water and access to water has been on the top of our agenda as an administration. It is our vision that if we can deliver on our projects to the people across the state, then we would achieve the vision of making life easier and reducing poverty while improving on overall well-being of the citizenry.”
Imoke disclosed that the World Bank assisted Calabar water scheme has become a benchmark for PPP projects and projects of this nature not only in the country but in the West African sub region and that the state was proud to partner it to ensure millions of Nigerians have access to water.
The governor said the phase one of the Ikom water scheme valued at N5.3billion was funded by the State while its second phase will be funded by World Bank.
He explained that the water project will cover not just Ogoja but Bekwara and Yala Local Government Areas as well.
According to him ,the project will be constructed for sustainability and will be managed under PPP to address the challenges involved in delivering water to enable the benefitting communities be fully on board in tandem with what urban area dwellers enjoy.
Imoke therefore appealed to the benefitting communities to understand the importance of the project and cooperate with the contractor to enable them enjoy the benefit from it as government is prepared to play its role.
The Managing Director of CGC Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ye Sejiun, who said the company was born in Nigeria 31 years ago, commended the state government for giving it the opportunity to exhibit its expertise in the construction of water related projects.
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