Residents of Otuoke community, home of former President Goodluck Jonathan, are in dire need of water. Although the federal government, through Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, established a water scheme in the community, there are issues which need be resolved before the water could be accessed by the community people.
This is water project that was attracted to Otuoke community by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. It was developed by the federal ministry of water resources during the presidency of Jonathan. This is one of the three projects attracted to the community by the former president.
N5.8billion water scheme abandoned in Otuoke
The water project was said to have cost the federal government a whooping sum of N5.8billion to build for the 13 communities surrounding Otuoke in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa state. It is expected to supply water to 130,000 people in the 13 communities surrounding Otuoke.
It was commissioned after building in September 2016 by minister of water resources, Suleiman Adamu. From 2011 to 2016, that means the project was in building for six years by the federal government. It's expected to supply 3.6million litres of water on daily basis to the communities.
During the commissioning, the minister, it was learnt, said the federal government was committed to completing all abandoned water projects to improve living conditions of all Nigerians.
Adamu said adequate water supply for human and livestock production was a crucial aspect of social and economic development.
Though surrounded by water, Goodluck Jonathan’s kinsmen are crying daily for water
He said the recently launched roadmap on water resources underscored the need for short and long term strategies for effective and efficient delivery of water to the people. He said the project was among the high priority water projects in the country.
He added that the project demonstrated that the Buhari’s administration is committed to completing all viable projects that have positive impact on the lives of Nigerians without any political sentiments.
During the commissioning, the Bayelsa state government, which was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Serena Dokubo Spiff, was said to have described the project as gold to the people of the community and assured that the state would ensure its maintenance.
The benefiting communities include Otuwabe, Onuwebun, Emayal 1 and 2, Otukpoti, Otuegori, Zag burs, Ewoi, Emiringi, Kolo 1,2 and 3.
N5.8billion water completed federal government water scheme abandoned in Otuoke
However, at the departure of the federal executives from the community, issues began to rise. It was learnt that the federal government handed the project to the state government to operate and supply water to the communities.
It was also gathered from sources in the community that it will cost about N4.5million to provide water for the communities on monthly basis.
The community development committee chairman, Oguanisi Akpufu, alleged that the state government said it cannot fund the N4.5million on monthly basis. Consequently, he told NAIJ.com that the Bayelsa state government handed it over to the community to source for N4.5million on monthly basis and supply water for their people.
Water scheme abandoned in Otuoke
Akpufu further said the community cannot fund the operation of the borehole considering the cost implication. As it is now, the project seems abandoned after the federal government has spent N5.8billion to establish the water scheme in the community.
Our correspondent could not ascertain the standpoint of the state government on the matter, especially from the commissioner for water resources in the state. This is even so, considering the assurance given by the secretary to the state government that the state would ensure the sustenance of the water project.
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