(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/coat-of-arms2.gif) The Federal Government has expressed its desire to partner with the Government of Bayelsa State to ensure adequate provision of safe water for the people of the area.
The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Reng Ochekpe made this known when she received the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson in her office in Abuja.
Mrs Ochekpe said that Federal Government had realized that, to meet the MDGs, there is the need to increase collaboration with the States' government and it is in this regard that the Ministry recently held a meeting with all the Commissioners of Water Resources in the States to further strengthen the bond of cooperation between them to achieve the objective of adequate provision of safe water.
She added that a further meeting with Nigeria Governors' Forum is being planned to solicit for their support.
The Minister told the Governor that work was progressing on the Otuoke water project being handled by the Ministry of Water Resources which extends to 13 communities within the Otuoke Area and other similar projects in the State.
While lamenting the set back suffered by the Otuoke water project due to the effect of flood of last year, Mrs Ochekpe assured that the project would soon be completed and by July this year, the people of Otuoke and other adjoining communities would start to enjoy water.
"We are sorry that in Bayelsa State, you have so much water around you but no fresh water because of the effect of pollution, Government is doing everything possible through our Niger Delta River Basin Authority to support you and ensure adequate provision of water for the people in the area", the Minister said.
On the interest shown by the Bayelsa state Government to take over the Rice Farm Project at Peremabiri, the Minister said, "We will collaborate with you but we will not hand over the project".
Earlier, the Governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson said the State government alone cannot provide water in a State like Bayelsa without support from the Federal Government.
"I am here to solicit your support in technical terms, we need to tap into the expertise of your Ministry, my government intends to do a lot this year in the area of water", the Governor further said.
On the devastating flood that ravaged the State last year, Dickson explained that measures are being taken by his government to prevent the reoccurrence of flood of last year. He said that he had set up two committees to enable Government prepare effective response.
The Governor said that his government also intends to embark on massive rice farming this year to turn around the economy of the state.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria
It's good the partnership is working out really well this time around. Water is a very essential thing in this world. This is good I must say!