The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) is taking proactive measures to restore portable drinking water to Gwara and other neighbouring communities. HYPREP made the remark in Port Harcourt during a Press Briefing with journalist after the news of collapsed water facility in Gwara community on Monday.
HYPREP Legal Adviser and Vice Chairman of Investigative Committee , Barr. Ichibor Gowon stated that they are deeply disturbed by the collapse of the overhead tank at the newly commissioned Gwara Water Station in Khana LGA.
Gowon explained that in hearing the news of collapsed water, the Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator quickly set up and constituted a high level committee to immediately visit the site and commence investigation into the immediate and remote cause of the unfortunate incident. ” As you know , we have commissioned 16 water projects and all are in good shape, soonest we will get it done, it is a temporary set back ” he said.
He told journalists that HYPREP will take measures that the water project will be restored as soon as possible. Answering questions from media men, the Vice Chairman of the Committee said HYPREP will make sure that the people get portable drinking water. On the cause of the collapse water project, Gowon further explained that investigation is still on-going and they don’t know the cause yet.
Also Speaking, the Head of Communication HYPREP Dr. Enuolara Mba-Nwigoh stated that HYPREP have recorded 5 million man- hour safety for it workforce since inception noting that they don’t compromise as they get qualified consultants. ” We have quality measures to deliver quality project to Ogoni people” he said. “A project that was commissioned on Saturday and collapsed on Monday, this project suppose to give water to 5 communities” he stated.
The Head of Communication maintained that despite the challenge, HYPREP will provide portable drinking water to 65 communities before the end of the year noting that from the mangrove restoration, Ogoni specialist hospital, and the Ogoni power project among many projects, we have recorded successes on all our projects as we commends the people of Ogoni and the people too are happy with the federal government and the Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey.
Consequently, the Committee has visited the site and will be painstaking in its investigation to establish likely structural failure or third-party interference.
”HYPREP empathises with the Gwara community and asks for calm as steps are being taken to ensure that the damaged facility is being restored, and water reticulated to affected communities” he stated.
”HYPREP remains committed to continue to deliver quality projects that meet best standards. It has introduced both internal and external measures to ensure quality assurance and control. This includes the engagement of a Project Consultant, EcoProject, supervision from the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit and Water Supervisors among others” he explained.
”But for this isolated case, 16 Water Stations have been commissioned, supplying water to over 40 communities. Some of them have been running for over 2 years” he stated.
On sustainability, HYPREP said plans are being adopted to ensure the water projects continue to serve communities. They are the constitution of the Water Consumers Association (WCA), construction of solar farms for alternative power supply and training of laboratory staff. One of the unique features of the HYPREP Water Project is the laboratory to ensure that water supplied to communities meets the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standard.
Earlier, Engr. Tabe James stated that they will carry out proper investigation while sympathizing with Gwara community. He however, stated that there is no compromise on all HYPREP works because they have quality assurance and quality control but assured all that they will reach it logical conclusion on the issue.
