Niger State Government is set to engage an indigenous and Chinese Firms on a $100m proposed partnership agreement on Minna-Paiko-Sueja water supply project aimed at improving water supply in the State.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed optimism with the project when he held a meeting with the representatives of an indigenous and the Chinese Firms who were at the Niger State Governor’s Lodge to present feasibility report on the proposed project.
Governor Umaru Bago also said the State Government will review water demands of residents in the State including a review of existing water projects embarked upon by previous administrations in the State to improve on water supply.
He said the State Government is ready to partner with the contracting firms but expressed some worries about the scope of the work which concentrates only on Suleja, Paiko and Minna and emphasized the need for a review of total water demand across the State and other existing water projects initiated by previous Administrations to enable his Government effectively improve on water supply to all its citizens.
The Governor expressed delight with the project that will be funded 100% by the contracting firms adding that, the 20 years repayment plan is also impressive and revealed that a sub Committee will be set up before the agreement is concluded.
He described the water project as a welcomed development especially as it will also include the use of renewable energy to power water dams and other water supply systems.
Governor Bago however said the proposed 20,000 water metering is not enough and called for its upscale and directed the Ministry of water Resources and Dams Development to work closely with the firms to achieve desired result.
Founder and CEO Hydronamics Ltd, a leading firm in the proposed water project, Hamza Yunusa appreciated the opportunity given, to collaboratively sustain water infrastructure in Niger State in line with the developmental aspirations of the Governor.
In an infrastructure feasibility report on the proposed Minna-Paiko-Suleja Water supply project he presented, Yunusa said the project is to be executed with the China Energy International Group and gave a breakdown on how they intend to provide necessary infrastructure to meet the water demands of the population residing in Minna, Paikoro and Suleja.
He highlighted features of the project to include, the rehabilitation of Suleja Dam, construction of water treatment plants at Lenfa, and suleja, construction of transmission and service reservoirs and renewable energy systems and the supply of water metering systems adding that a team has already carried out a water baseline assessment and performance improvement plan.
The Managing Director, China Energy International Group Nig. Ltd, Li Baisheng in his remarks said his Company has been in Nigeria since 2000 and executed several energy and water projects across Nigeria and is willing to collaborate with Niger State and be part of the Governor’s transformation agenda.
