IN continuation with its commitment and determination to commission all completed projects, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources has again completed and commissioned another Water Supply Scheme.
This time, it was the rehabilitated and expanded Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria over 5 million litres per day Water Supply Scheme which has been completed, commissioned and handed over to the Authorities of the University for provision of portable water to the residents of the University and its environs.
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman H. Adamu, commissioned the project on Thursday, at the Samaru main campus of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.
This commissioning and handing over ceremony is coming three weeks after the commissioning of a similar project executed by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in Patigi town, Kwara State.
Engr. Adamu stated that the project was executed in two phases. The first phase was awarded to Messrs Cartlark Nigeria Ltd in February 2006, with about 70 per cent completion in 2017.
The Minister added that in order to achieve maximum value, the Ministry awarded phase II of the project to Messrs Bran & Luebbee Water Engineers Nig. Ltd in March 2020 with a completion period of 24 months.
He affirmed that the phase II has been satisfactorily executed and marks the completion of the entire project stressing that the elements of works that have been executed and fully completed under the project include; the provision of transmission mains of various sizes of HDP pipes over 2.2km, Installation of 4 N0s. 45KW KSB Pump at the old and new Raw Water Intake; Installation of 2 N0s. 55KW KSB and 1 N0. 75KW KSB.
According to the Hon Minister, the project which was designed to serve over 200,000 residents of Samaru and Kongo Campuses and environs was executed with a total cost of N996, 673, 985.56 with a breakdown of phase 1( N498, 584, 385.86) & phase II ( N498,089, 599.70).
He added that the quality of the treated water from the scheme has been subjected to laboratory testing and found to be acceptable and within national and international standards for drinking water.
He noted that “to ensure proper management and maintenance of the water scheme, and as part of his contractual obligations, we have ensured that the Contractor worked in synergy with the ABU Works Department.
He urged that the university provides the needed enabling environment that would ensure that the Works Department performed their duties as required and efficiently in the operation and maintenance of the facility for sustainability.
The Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Kabiru Bala, thanked the Federal Government and Hon. Minister for rehabilitating and expanding the University’s Water Supply Scheme, which, according to him, will go a long way towards solving the water supply issues.
