By Philo Ezewu, Ugheli
The Delta State Government has stated that the first phase of the Warri/Uvwie Water Reservoir Project will be completed in nine months to ensure that water flows to some homes in the areas.
The State’s Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Rt. Hon. Evelyn Omavowan Oboro Esq., who made this known during the inspection of the Warri/Uvwie Water Reservoir Project, stated that the inspection was to ascertain the readiness of Don Domingo Water Company handling the project to commence work this month as earlier promised.
According to her, during a meeting with the company last week, they promised to start work this August, 2021. “So we came here to see the facilities on ground and ascertain if their promise to begin work this month is real.
We have gone round and inspected the high-life pump, filter beds building, generator, 17 boreholes, chemical building and others. We are convinced with the facilities we saw on ground that if they begin work this month as promised, they should be able to complete the first phase in nine months, which will enable them distribute water to homes in Warri South Local Government Area, Uvwie Local Government Area and adjoining communities”.
On their part, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources Development, Engr. Ogaga Blessing Edewor and General Manager, Delta State Urban Water Corporation, Engr. (Dr.) Nosakhoro Okoh, who spoke in same vein, said the project was initiated by the State government to distribute water on commercial quantity to residents of Warri South, Uvwie and neighbouring communities.
They noted that, “the water would be commercialized, and in line with that of consumers who would be metered in low prices compared to what they pay to get water from any other source”.
Engr. Henry Idama, Director General, Delta State Water Sector Regulatory Commission, told Orient daily correspondent that one thing they will do is to showcase the quality of water that will come out of the reservoir.
“And I can assure you that from the depth of the boreholes and the quality of the treatment the water will undergo, it will be better for any lucky beneficiary”, he said.
The Head of Operation, Don Domingo Water Company, Engr. Femi Fatero on his part, said the project would be completed in stages, adding that since its concession, they have been going along with the outlined programmes.
He assured that after the completion of the first phase in nine months, some homes in Warri South and Uvwie Local Government Areas will begin to get water. “The project is now in phases because at the time it was initiated, the population of the expected beneficiaries was far lower than what it is today”, he added.