*Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr. Ferdinand Giadom, with stakeholders and members of Ogoni Water Strategy Framework Drafting Committee on inspection tour of water facilities built by HYPREP in Ogoniland
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project, says actions are in motion to create the sustainability plan in ensuring that the ongoing water project in Ognoniland, serves the people for decades.
Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr. Ferdinand Giadom, said the idea of provision of potable drinking water as recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme, was not just for the immediate improvement of livelihood of the Ogoni people, but a project that will subsist for decades.
Giadom who spoke when he led stakeholders and members of Ogoni Water Strategy Framework Drafting Committee on an inspection tour to water facilities built by HYPREP in Ogoniland, tasked stakeholders with adopting a sustainability plan in ensuring the ongoing water project serves the people for decades.
“Talking about sustainability, this water should serve the needs of the present generation and also that of future generations. So we must install systems that will last, we must install systems that will ensure that the quality of water that is provided to the communities will be of the right standards and meets WHO standards for drinking water limit and be consistent into the future.
“We want to provide water that would last beyond 20, 30 years and far into the future.”
The HYPREP boss also assured that all water facilities across the four Councils in Ogoniland will be of the same standard.
“So what we are doing is to look at all the water facilities and the projects that we have provided to find out ways and means to ensure that sustainability.
“The reason for sustainability is that it is one thing to provide water and it is another thing for the water to subsist. And serve the needs of the present generation and the future generation.”
Earlier, a Water Engineer and Water Governance Expert, Prof Johnson Otu, who was among the inspection team appreciated the level of work done at the various water sites but called for some technical improvement in areas that need adjustment.
“I appreciate the level of the input and the construction on the ground. Although there are a few technical issues that we have observed we will discuss them with the contractors so that things can be able to be put rightly in shape for the future sustainability of this water scheme.
“Overall, the HYPREP is on the right path, the work is good and it is going to be completed for the good of the Ogoni people.”
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