Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Friday launched the State urban water sector reform, the Port Harcourt Water Supply Scheme and the Sanitation Project.
Performing the launch in Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said the project will create women entrepreneurs, youth employment as well as provide safe drinking water for the inhabitants of the state.
Represented by the State Agriculture Commissioner, Mrs Onimim Jacks, the governor said the project is key to the development of the state.
He said: “The project is in line with our promises to the people of the state as clearly spelt put in our blueprint that we shall provide safe drinking water for the inhabitants of the state “.
The governor said that within the first one hundred days of his administration, the Potable Water Scheme was launched at Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
He commended the Federal Government for selecting Rivers State as one of the pilot states for the scheme, noting that the state government will pay her counterpart funds as at when due.
Governor Wike maintained that his administration will always collaborate with the Federal Government in areas that would benefit the populace.
In his remarks, Rivers State Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Chief Ibibia O’Walter said the project is part of a wide sector institutional reform embarked upon by the State Government as coordinated by the National Urban Sector Water Reform Office of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
He explained that funding for the project will sourced from the World Bank and the African Development Bank. According to him, the African Development Bank will contribute USD200million, World Bank USD 80 million and Rivers State Government, USD 48 million as counterpart fund.
The Port Harcourt Water Supply and Sanitation Project is targeted at addressing the poor water infrastructure in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. It will also address the sanitation challenges in the two urban areas.
