Federal Government Allocates ₦18 Billion for Benue Water Works Upgrade
By Aloysius Umalo, Makurdi
The Federal Government has granted Messrs Ceylon Construction Services Limited a contract worth a total of ₦18,893,279,411.42 for the rehabilitation and enhancement of the Buruku/Gboko Water Supply Project. The project is slated for completion within eighteen months.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, announced this during the groundbreaking ceremony for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the water works held at the Gboko Water Treatment Plant in Ameladu,
He highlighted the pivotal role of the Water Supply Project in delivering clean and safe drinking water to the populace of Buruku, Gboko, and nearby Communities.
The project is a testament to the Federal Government’s dedication to improving citizens’ lives in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The envisioned scope of the initiative aims to revamp the vandalized waterworks in Ameladu, Mkar (in Gboko LGA), and Buruku, ultimately benefiting around 506,000 individuals.
“This undertaking is anticipated to bolster access to potable water, thereby reducing the prevalence of waterborne ailments in the area”.
The project entails the extraction of water from the Katsina-Ala River via an intake structure, with the purified and treated water to be distributed to Gboko, Mkar, and adjacent Communities following a 17 Kilometer transportation route.
Governor Alia who was represented by his deputy, Barrister Sam Ode stated that the Federal Government’s sizable investment signifies a comprehensive strategy to promote accessibility to clean water, foster economic prosperity, and ensure sustainable development across the nation, reflecting a step towards addressing critical water supply challenges.
The Governor praised the Federal Government for the resuscitation of the project which has been abandoned for decades and urged the Federal Government to extend the water supply to other parts of the state.
