The implementation of the $2.5 million World Bank assisted 3rd National Urban Water Sector Reform Project in Makurdi, Benue State, has commenced.
This was made known by the acting National Coordinator, Mr Fasoye Adewale, at a meeting with Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.
During the courtesy visit to Mr Ortom at his office at the Government House to get the commitment from the state government for the project, Mr Adewale noted that the project will boost the agriculture sector in the state. Benue is nicknamed the Food Basket of the Nation.
At the meeting, Mr Ortom and the General Manager of the Benue State Water Board, Mr Mike Zdungu, pledge their political and administrative support to see the project through, after N5.2 billion was committed to the water project by previous administrations, without adequate supply to the metropolis.
Apart from the seasonal flooding caused by heavy down pour and the rising water level, the River Benue serves a very useful purpose like marine training for the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, local mining of building sand and fishing by the local Jukun tribes.
Other useful purpose of the massive River Benue, is the purification and treatment of the unclean water for domestic use for residents of the state.
Over the years, the challenges of water to the metropolis have been a daunting task. This is why the team from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources have stepped in.
Mr Adewale, at the occasion, handed over the Toyota Hilux van donated by the Federal Government to drive the project in Benue state to the governor.
Adedapo Adesanya