How N-HYPPADEC revamped new Bussa Water Scheme after two decades

By Yakubu Mustapha Minna

From Right, Representative of Niger State Governor and Commissioner for Works Suleiman Umar, Minister for State Agriculture, Abdullahi Aliyu Sabi who represented the SGF, N-HYPPADEC MD, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa and Emir of Borgu Barr. Mohammed Sani Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV at the commissioning ceremony at New Bussa Water Works site in Niger state.

Jubilation gallow as the people of New Bussa in Borgu Local government area (Borgu Kingdom) of Niger state can now access clean portable drinking water after about three decades of suffering sequel to the intervention of National Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Commission N-HYPPADEC for its total rehabilitation and reticulation of its Water Works established in 1983.

The intervention from the commission followed the outcry by the community that have sacrificed a lot for the creation of the Kanji Dam for the provision of electric power supply to Nigerians hence the relocation from old Bussa to the present New Bussa carved out from Kwara state.

In fulfillment of the N-HYPPADEC mandates to manage ecological menace due to operations of dams and other hydroelectric power activities aimed at ameliorating the negative effects of its activities on the communities across the 10 states of the commission.

The Governing council led by the chairman, Barrister Joseph Terfa Ityav and management team also led by the Managing Director, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa after due consideration embarked on the over N2 billion project which includes; reticulation, rehabilitation, installation, replacement and expansion of water supply to new areas within Bussa and its environs.

In 2022, Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) have handed over N1.2 billion water works project to contractors for total overhauling and reticulation of New Bussa water works in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger state.

The Managing Director HYPPADEC Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa made this known during the handing over ceremony at the site in New Bussa, saying that if rehabilitation is completed this will bring to an end over 20 years of water scarcity in New Bussa and environs.

Sadiq Yelwa disclosed that the contract is for a duration of 6 months as at then for its completion however warned the contractors to ensure contract specifications so as to have value for money or face revocation.

The MD was represented by the Director Community and Rural Development Directorate, Dr Mahmud Mohammed Umar who described as critical project signed on behalf of the Commission and charged the community to support and take ownership of the contract for optimal results if completed.

The Director of Operations, Engr Ilyasu Abdullahi Wara however explained that the contract is divided into seven Lots to various contractors to ensure speedy completion within specifications and the duration hence the payment of rates to ensure the sustainability and maintenance of the projects.

He added that the laudable project consists of technical and booster station one million litres pump house and tank rehabilitation, utility vehicles, laboratory equipment, reticulation system and seven km expansion of distribution, rehabilitation of entire building and three km expansion of old township expansion and maintenance among others.

The Niger State Managing Director, Water and Siwage Cooperation, represented by Gimba Isah said that this would ensure provision of healthy and maximum portable water supply to the masses, he urged for support and understanding of the citizens to ensure the maintenance of the project for effective and efficient service delivery.

Borgu Local Government Chairman, Suleiman Yerima appreciated the kind gesture of HYPPADEC, noting that the community had suffered over the years following the decayed facilities and development of New Bussa town while urging the consumers and citizens to cooperate by paying their water rates to ensure its sustainability.

Apparently, due to inflation and economic challenges the contact had to be reviewed to N2.2 billion to ensure its completion and subsequent commission for the benefits of the community.

Reacting on the realization of the dream of the residents and indigenes in their separate interview with some women, Hajiya Zainab Yakubu, Kate Akintola and Madam Kubrat Ishoila expressed joy for the actualization of the project, saying that they have suffered over the years due to scarcity of water. Noted that they now have relief and can access portable drinking water rather than boreholes and well as their sources of water supply in the past.

Similarly, the immediate past State Chairman of APC and Makama Borgu, Hon. Zakari Haliru Jikantoro decried that they were relocated from their ancestral Bussa to the New Bussa in 1968 due to the dam creation by the federal government and failed to fulfill its promises over the years hence the challenge of water scarcity.

Jikantoro praised N-HYPPADEC commitment, both federal and Niger state governments for the holistic approach in the realization of the project he described as unprecedented, saying that the consumption of water has increased due to population, expansion and development hence the modern equipment will surely serve a taste of term.

Also, the Satalin Borgu, Alhaji Mohammed Mohammed who has been advocating and agitating over the years for social amenities provision like water supply and electricity to New Bussa, however expressed that he is fulfilled with the actualization of the project after about 30 years of their plight.

He challenged government at all levels not to abandon the project after commissioning by ensuring the commitment of the host community and the citizens to pay their water bills in a transparent manner to ensure its sustenance, adding that the only sources of water before now was boreholes and wells while he appreciates God Almighty to be alive and witnessed the commissioning ceremony.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),  Sen. George Akume has commissioned and handed over the Rehabilitated and expanded of New Bussa Water Scheme after 41 years of its establishment during former governor of Kwara state, Alhaji Adamu Attah.

Akume commissioned the water works at New Bussa water treatment plant in Borgu local government area of Niger state Rehabilitated by the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission N-HYPPADEC in Borgu local government area of Niger state.

The SGF said that it was an important milestone in the journey of the present administration, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, towards improving living standards and attaining sustainable development goal, assured of protection and security for its sustainability.

Represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said the project is long overdue while he commended the commission and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the realization of the dream of the people of the community, assured to protect and safeguard the project jealously for the benefits of the citizenry.

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago said the project would bring to an end the perennial water problem experienced in New Bussa and environs over the years.

Represented by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Suleiman Umar, said the provision of sustainable potable water at people’s disposal remains the driving force of socio-economic development in every society hence the prioritizing of the sector.

The Managing Director of the Commission, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, said the rehabilitated water works targets not only an infrastructure upgrade, but also a transformation in the quality of life for the people of this historic town and its environs.

Sadiq Yelwa appreciated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, whose dedication to the welfare of Nigerians aligns perfectly with the mission of N-HYPPADEC and the support of the Niger State government in the success of the project, assuring of more Interventions from the commission.

According to him, the project was a total overhauling of water intake, boasters station, construction and installation of one million cubic meters reservoir tank and 11KVA transformer, donated five Bajaj motorcycles for workers as well as replacement of pipelines and expansion to new developing areas of the town.

In his speech, the Emir of Borgu, Bar. Sani Halitu Dantoro IV, said the epochal event was a half century-old promise kept by the Nigerian State, as well as a dream come true for the people of Borgu.

He said, “This started about 60 years ago, when impoundment of our lands commenced in the early 1963 to make way for the Kainji lake, dam.

“The people of Old Bussa were promised the most basic of human necessities by the Nigerian government through the Kainji Dam Authority for the provision of potable water, electricity among others.

The commissioning of the New Bussa Water Works plant on 30th August, 2024 after several years of abandonment leading to the suffering of the people of the community marked the beginning of a new era of accessibility to portable drinking water in the town and environs and ending palpable fear of the outbreak of waterborne diseases.

Therefore, the need for the sustainability and conscious efforts to safeguard the project was emphasized by various speakers at the event and interviews as Borgu Youth Vanguard was given the task to secure and jealously protect the plant and its equipment through measures to be put in place by the community led by His Royal Highness, Mai Borgu, the Emir of Borgu, Barrister Mohammed Sani Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV.