Potable Water: Delta Assembly Pledges Support for Water Ministry

The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources Development has pledged its commitment to ensuring reactivation of existing water schemes across the state.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon Peter Uviejitobor gave the assurance when he led other members of the committee on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the State Ministry of Water Resources Development in Asaba.

Hon Uviejitobor and his team, Honorables Austin Uroye, Charles Oniyere, Emmanuel Sinebe, Asupa Forteta and Pat Ajudua were received on arrival by the Commissioner in-charge of the ministry, Rt Hon Martins Okonta.

The Lawmaker said the visit was to familiarize members of the committee with the officials of the ministry, including heads of Paraststals under it, ahead of the presentation of the 2020 Delta State Appropriation Bill and events that follows thereafter.

Hon Uviejitobor, Representing Udu Constituency in the House, pointed out the need for sound synergy between the Committee and the ministry for enhanced efficiency in the ministry.

He said the Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources Development was ready to know the challenges faced by the ministry in order to help seek solutions to them.

Hon Uviejitobor stressed that there was the need to reactivate the water schemes across the state for improved public water supply and assured of positive results in that regards through effective collaboration of stakeholders.

The Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Rt Hon Martins Okonta told the visiting legislators that the ministry is key to the Stronger Delta agenda of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Hon Okonta acknowledged that the task ahead was enormous, saying that the Governor was doing much to ensuring adequate potable water supply in the state as he had declared state of emergency on water.

The Commissioner said the passage of the Water Bill by the Delta State House of Assembly led to setting up of inter ministerial committee and drafting of implementation action plans.

Members of Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources Development

He explained that thirteen billion naira was being expended on Warri/Effurun  Water Scheme through concession arrangement, disclosing that there are about 628 water schemes across the state.

Hon Okonta also disclosed that the Governor recently approved treatment plants in its water schemes, saying that the ministry was seeking the support of corporate bodies to intervene in public water supply in the state.

He pointed out inadequate budgetary allocation to the ministry, lack of electricity to the water schemes, obsolete pipes among others as some major challenges faced the ministry.

The Commissioner called for the support of the Delta State House of Assembly and thanked the Committee Chairman, Hon Peter Uviejitobor and members for the visit.