Delta State To Benefit From USAID's $3.5m WASH Intervention Fund

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

All is set for Delta State government to get an intervention support from the American government to support her Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiative.

Yesterday, Wednesday, at the state's government house, the state governor and representatives of the American government signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) documents.

Gov Ifeanyi Okowa, signed on behalf of Delta State government, while, Mr Collins Dreizin, from the USAID Mission Office In Nigeria,signed on behalf of the United States of America's government.

Contents of the signed documents featured American government's commitment to roll out a $3.5M intervention fund for construction of a Fecal Sludge treatment plant in Asaba.

Later, Delta State government representatives signed contract performance bond documents, expressing their commitment towards effective implementation of the WASH project in the state.

Hon Martins Okonta, Commissioner for Water Resources Development,, appreciated the United State's government over the support.

Our governor has approved a land for construction of this treatment plant, come with your equipment, the land is ready, we are ready to work and partner with you.

We are committed to this project, our only initial problem was electric power supply, but our government had overcome that challenge with the procurement of new 27 transformers, which will be connected to 33kva lines.

This new waste water treatment plant will go a long way at reducing youth unemployment, as many Deltans will benefit and be actively employed, Hon Okonta highlighted.

Commissioner for Justice, Barr Peter Mrakpor, representing the state governor during the contract performance bond signing session appreciated all parties.

Signing the performance bond document is a welcome development, it will put the board members, General Manager and his teams focused and give them some sound sense of direction.

Providing Deltans with quality, safe and clean water as they want it, is what this government want to do and that is what Deltans will get, Barr Mrakpor emphasized.

Hon Martins Okonta and Barr Peter Mrakpor witnessed as the General Manager, Board Members and Regulatory agency members of the Delta State Urban Water Corporation signed their respective contract performance bond documents.

In his remarks, Mr Collins Dreizin, pointed out, "today is the beginning of a great day for Deltans and beginning of bad day for water borne diseases in Delta State.

I am very satisfied with the high quality equipment and skills so far transfered, am happy over the MoU we signed with the state government today, Mr Dreizin said.

One of the highlights of the day's event was brand unveiling of the new corporation's logo and presentation of abridged documents on the state water laws in English language and Pigin English.

Later in the day, the state's deputy governor, Barr Kingsley Burutu Otuaro led other state functionaries at inspecting and commissioning a water treatment plant in Asaba.

The USAID E-WASH Program Delta State Team Leader, Mr Mark Adeyemi Adedayo, in company of Hon Martins Okonta, Water Resources Development Commissioner,  led Mr Collins Dreizin and Mr Jean Joliquor, both from to the acquired landed property for construction of the $3.5M fecal sludge treatment plant in Asaba.

SOURCE:Asaba Post News Wire Online