The people of Rivers State have decry the lack of portable water in Port Harcourt the State capital despite the Billions of Naira invested in the Ministry of Water resource since the inception of the Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration.
The people of the state made this known in a programme organized by the Ministry of Information and Communication at the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, Port Harcourt, tagged “The Right to be heard”, where the Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru and several other commissioners were in attendance.
The commissioners on hot seat were commissioner for Works, Hon. Victor Gidom, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Seminitari, the Representative of the Greater Port Harcourt and the commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Emmanuel Chindah. In a quick reaction to the question on lack of potable water despite all the billions of naira budgeted for water in the state, the Deputy governor Engr. Tele Ikuru stated that the issue of portable water in the state was vital one but it must be properly design, plan and executed so that the water can last long, considering the environmental situation in the state.
The right to be heard is one of the government programe where every Rivers persons have the right to ask any question on projects and programmes of the state government.
The Rivers State Government knows the importance of water to the people especially at the State capital but explained that they are taking their time plan for durable water.
The Deputy Governor further stated that if they need quick water it is easy but the government is taking its time to bring table and portable water. Engr. Ikuru told the people that last year 2012 the State government budgeted 10 Billion Naira but could not spend all the money, due to the on-going planning for water projects in the state.
The people of Rivers State are now worried that despite all the Billions of Naira allocated the Ministry of Water Resources, there is nothing to show for it especially in the State Capital were there is population explosion daily.
In another development the commissioner of Water Resources in Rivers State Mrs. Patricia Simon Hart stated that the government needed about 400 Millions Dollars for the first 2 phases and for the next three phases another 500 Million Dollars. The commissioner stated this in an interview with journalist shortly after the end of a two day water summit in Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt. She explained that the 10 Billion Naira budgeted for water in the Ministry of Water Resource last year was not used, as it is her part of the counter part funding saying they needed some money from a development Agency. Asked why we needed money from development Agency before we drink water in the State, the Commissioner maintained that there was need for partnership on the issue of water in the State.
Asked to advice what Rivers people should do in the present circumstances, she said Rivers people should continue to patronize the water vendors for now, however, this reply did not go down well with Rivers people despite the Billions of Naira budgeted for the Ministry of Water Resources since the inception of the Amaechi Administration. The Ministry of water Resources and Rural Development last week organized a program on Rivers State Water sector Development conference 2013 with the Theme: Improving Service Delivery better Co-operation this is among the many conferences organized by this administration, yet they are still difficulty for the delivery of water in the state. ###
