By Samuel Olusegun Precious
Residents of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas have lauded the Rivers State Government and the Port Harcourt Water Corporation (PHWC) over the steady restoration of public potable water supply to homes in the metropolis.
The commendation follows the completion of major rehabilitation works under the Urban Water Sector Reform and Port Harcourt Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Project, funded with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The residents commended the WASH initiative during a tour of project sites by officials of AFDB, who are currently in Rivers State on an on the spot assessment tour of project sites. The sites visited so far include the Water Corporation’s corporate headquarters at Rumuola, where the team was conducted round the 22 boreholes and other facilities on Tuesday.
On wednesday, the sites visited alongside the Rivers State WASH Media Network led by Exceed FM’s Samuel Olusegun Precious, include: ongoing construction of toilet facilities at the Rumuomasi Morning Market, Wakrike Market and Borokiri Market, water installation at private residences in Rumuola, Diobu among others.
The AFDB team also inspected the water sub stations and offices at Diobu, Moscow Road and Borokiri in Port Harcourt Township.
The project, designed to produce over 148 million litres (330,000 cubic meters) of potable water daily and upgrade 456 to 496 kilometres of pipeline, is expected to serve over 1.3 million to 3 million residents of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, some residents said for the first time in decades, public water is flowing again in many neighbourhoods, describing it as a relief from dependence on private boreholes, water vendors and sachet water.
“We thank Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the PHWC. Water is life. This government has brought back what we lost for over 20 years,” a resident of Diobu said.
Managing Director of PHWC, Chief Ibibia Walter, at a WASH Media Network launch recently, said the Corporation has completed core civil works, conducted water quality tests, and is now focusing on household connections and installation of customer water meters.According to him, the Corporation has also begun collaboration with schools to provide potable water and renovate toilet facilities, as part of efforts to improve sanitation.
The PHWC boss thanked the Rivers State Government, AfDB, contractors and technical partners for sustaining the project, noting that the initiative will create over 1,200 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs. Residents urged the government to sustain the momentum and extend the network to more communities that are yet to be covered, while protecting water infrastructure from vandalism.
The Port Harcourt water project was first conceived in 2011 under former Governor Chibuike Amaechi and continued under Governor Nyesom Wike, with Governor Fubara now driving its completion and distribution phase.
