..As it commence 72 boreholes in five states
From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The federal government on Thursday warned water contractors that the government would no longer tolerate any substandard contract in execution of Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) projects.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, gave this warning at 2022/2023 PEWASH project implantation take off meeting in Abuja.
The project which includes construction of 72 simple solar-powered borehole across five states is aimed eradicating associates with inadequate water supply. The states includes Kaduna,Delta,Gombe, Katsina and Nasarawa.
Prof Utsev represented by the Director of water supply, Nichola Madu explained that the programme is a national collaboration with all stakeholders in the sector to fill the gap in water supply and sanitation in rural areas.
He lamented that some of the challenges in the WASH sector have been linked to frequent water supply system failure, occasioned by majorly non-adherence to contracts specifications and poor construction practices, resulting in abandonment of dysfunctional systems.
“I will like to emphasise that the Ministry recognises qualitative and timely projects delivery to its beneficiary rural communities and will therefore not accept transfer of contract from one party to another; deviation from the contract’s specifications, terms and conditions; and delay in the contracts execution.
“Thus, I enjoin you to strictly follow the laid down guidelines from commencement to completion,” he said
Earlier in her welcome remarks, PEWASH National Coordinator, Jumai Wakaso, stated that the programme was designed for the improvement of rural water supply and sanitation, towards achievement of SDG 6.
She added that the increase accessibility of clean water supply and sanitation in rural areas would address the reported increase of sanitation related diseases claiming lives.