By Kelvin Ololo
After years of prolonged water scarcity, Cross River State Governor, Sen. Bassey Otu, has assured residents of renewed and sustainable public water supply, unveiling plans to restore potable water to households across the state.
The governor made the assertion during the groundbreaking ceremony for the upgrade and revitalization of Cross River State Waterboard Limited (CRSWBL), coming a day after the board signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Public Private Partners aimed at accelerating the restoration of water supply in the state.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the State Waterboard Complex in Calabar, Governor Otu who was represented by the Leader of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Bassey Asuquo, said the administration remained committed to prioritizing the welfare of residents through improved access to basic amenities.
“The government is a people first governance and to put the people first, there must be water for them to drink as water plays important role in the body.”
He called on staff of the Waterboard and all Cross Riverians to safeguard, protect and support the project by desisting from vandalizing equipment, assuring that water supply would be restored as soon as possible. He added that the government would provide the technical partners with the needed support to successfully execute the project.
In the same vein, the Managing Director of Cross River State Waterboard Limited, Chief Godwin Nyiam, said the board was working to actualize the governor’s mandate to abstract, store, treat and distribute water across the state.
“It wasn’t easy for us, but today marks the end of water scarcity in Cross River State.
“Yesterday we signed an MoU between the technical partners, the ministry of justice and the Governor of Cross River State. We are determined to put an end to scarcity of water, our story will change soon.”
Nyiam appreciated the governor for creating an enabling environment for the project and pledged that the board would remain committed to delivering on its mandate of restoring regular water supply in the state.
On their part, the technical partners, Core Trust and Investments Limited and Agua Global Limited, also announced the launch of Paradise Table Water as part of activities accompanying the water revitalization project.
Speaking separately at the event, the General Managing Director of Core Trust and Investments Limited, Mr. Ayo Taire, disclosed that about $42 million had been committed to the project to ensure its successful execution.
Similarly, the Managing Director of Agua Global Limited, Mr. Lucky Igberaese, expressed confidence in the project, assuring that with the enabling environment created by the state government and Waterboard management, the initiative would succeed.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, commended the development, describing it as a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to tackle water scarcity through a strategic dual-approach partnership.
He noted that the collaboration remained critical to achieving the state’s broader water restoration goals.
Other stakeholders at the event also described the initiative as a welcome development, expressing optimism that it would improve access to clean water and enhance living conditions across the state.
Highlight of the event was the laying of foundation blocks by the Leader of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Bassey Asuquo, on behalf of Governor Otu, in the presence of government officials, members of the State House of Assembly, management staff of the Waterboard, and other dignitaries.
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