Tag: water projects

  • Council boss supports SMEs with grants, rehabilitates water projects

    Council boss supports SMEs with grants, rehabilitates water projects

    Chairman of Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom Hon Kufre Umoren has given a N100,000 grant to support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the Area. 

    He also sponsored a three-day free medical outreach for the masses with over 2,000 council residents as beneficiaries. 

    The medical team led by Dr. Edikan Ackley, an indigene of the area, informed  32 surgeries were carried out while over 2,000 patients received free  medications after thorough consultations.

     The doctor added  that over  500 received deworming treatments. 

    The Chairman, while speaking on the gesture, stated the business grant is more than just financial assistance but also fulfilment of his campaign promise to uplift and support entrepreneurs in the area. 

    He encouraged them to employ prudent management of the funds received, urging them to integrate principles that would ensure the sustenance and upscale of their respective businesses to new heights.

    The Chairman also  procured  250 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board(JAMB) forms for  aspiring students from ONNA and promised to empower more traders, farmers and businesses in the days to come. 

    Read Also: FG completes over 135 water projects to boost agriculture, food security

    Umoren alsk breathes life into communities in the local government area  by providing accessible portable water maintaining that no meaningful development can occur without addressing the foundational needs of the people., especially  social amenities. 

    According to him: “These initiatives  havs profound ripple effects on the social and economic fabric of the communities. Women and children, who once bore the brunt of water scarcity, are now liberated from the daily drudgery of fetching water from distant,Children can now focus on their education, and women have more time to engage in productive activities, fostering a sense of empowerment and community upliftment.”

    Umoren while  commending the people for being peaceful called for their continuous support to the Arise Agenda of the Governor Umo Bassey Eno. 

    He said different  roads with the LGA have been graded and repair while new ones are underway to make life easy  and roads accessible for the people. 

  • FG completes over 135 water projects to boost agriculture, food security

    FG completes over 135 water projects to boost agriculture, food security

    The federal government says it has completed over 135 water projects in past one year as part of President Bola Tinubu’s drive to boost agriculture and ensure food security in the country.

    In addition, the FG is currently implementing 64 projects funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Inclusive Basic Delivery System for Development and Livelihood Empowerment Improvement Project.

    Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev disclosed this at the weekend during the closing of the 31st Regular meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation which held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

    Utsev also mentioned that the FG  has awarded 113 contracts for water supply, which are currently at various stages of construction.

    He said: “Some significant progress made by the Ministry since the last Council Meeting held in February 2024, in Abuja.

    “The Ministry has accomplished over 40 different projects across rural, small town and urban water supply. Other achievements include:

    Read Also: FG expands irrigation, water projects to boost food security amid climate challenges

    Construction of 44 projects under the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme; completion of 45 projects under the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme;

    “Implementation of 64 projects funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Inclusive Basic Delivery System for Development and Livelihood Empowerment Improvement Project;

    Award of 113 contracts for water supply, which are currently at various stages of construction.

    “We are in the process of developing the National WASH Policy in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders”.

    The Minister listed some of the ministry’s achievements to include: Water Quality, Sanitation and Hygiene, completion of the building of Asaba and Umuahia National Water Quality Reference Laboratories among others.