Benue State spends N1.4 billion on water projects

Permanent Secretary of the Benue State Ministry of Water Resources and Environment, Mr. Agbogbo Ode, said the state spent over N1.4 billion on water projects in the last two years.

He spoke at the weekend during a press briefing organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, in Makurdi.

Ode stated that out of the amount, N900 million was spent on payment to the contractor for the resumption of water supply in Otukpo and Katsina-Ala.

“The state government under the leadership of Governor Samuel Ortom has paid N500 million counterpart contribution for the implementation of Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria (SHAWN),” he stated.

He added that 523 of the boreholes obtained under the project were hand pumps while 36 were motorised.

Giving a breakdown of the hand pumps, he pointed out that Obi and Buruku local councils got 130 each, 163 in Katsina-Ala, 49 in Konshisha, 45 in Oju and eight in Tarka local councils. He added that 75 per cent of the projects had been completed.

He stated that six motorised boreholes were provided in Obi and Buruku, 16 in Ogbadibo, and eight in Katsina-Ala Local Council while 95 per cent of the work had been completed.

He said rehabilitation of 300 boreholes was ongoing in several local councils through the intervention of the Australian government and water aid.