The Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has joined forces with the Niger state government to rehabilitate the New Bussa water scheme in Borgu Local Government Area. Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa, the Managing Director of HYPPADEC, revealed this during an inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation project in New Bussa.

Yelwa explained that the water scheme, which had been non-functional for two decades, required immediate attention due to its significance for the community. After discussions with the Niger State Water Board and Sewage Corporation, HYPPADEC decided to fund the project, considering the importance of water as a basic necessity of life.

The rehabilitation project, which commenced seven months ago, is scheduled for completion and inauguration in November of this year. Yelwa expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the contractor, noting that engineers from the state water board and HYPPADEC had confirmed the contractor’s adherence to specifications.

The Managing Director emphasized the replacement of obsolete and non-functional machinery with modern equipment that would enhance the water supply to the community. High and low lift water pumps, as well as valves, were replaced, and improvements were made to the intake of water reservoirs and water storage tanks to expand access to clean water for numerous villages.

Yelwa highlighted that the rehabilitation of the New Bussa water scheme was part of a larger effort, including the rehabilitation of the Yauri water scheme in Kebbi state. These two towns were affected by the construction of the Kainji Hydroelectric Dam. The rehabilitation projects in both Niger and Kebbi states are jointly funded by HYPPADEC and the respective state governments, as well as their benefiting local governments, with a total cost of N1.6 billion each.

The ongoing rehabilitation encompasses various aspects, such as the establishment of a new booster pump station, extension of water distribution pipelines, and overall maintenance of the transmission pipeline. Mr. Gimba Yisa, the Acting Managing Director of Niger State Water and Sewage Corporation, affirmed that over 16,000 households in the area would benefit from the improved water scheme.

Mr. Kokobissi Outare, Managing Director of KSB Pumps Nigeria Ltd, one of the contractors involved in the installation of water pumps, expressed confidence in the project’s progress. The new pumps, designed to supply 500,000 litres of water per hour to the treatment plant, are expected to be fully operational by the end of November.

Local resident Mrs. Mary Garba expressed her delight regarding the project, as the community had been without clean water for an extended period. Garba expressed gratitude to the state government and HYPPADEC for their initiative in addressing this vital need.

New Bussa, the host community of the Kainji hydroelectric dam and Kainji Lake, eagerly awaits the completion of the rehabilitation project, which will significantly improve their access to safe and reliable water supply.