The Federal Ministry of Water Resources on Monday assured Nigerians of the installation of 10 solar-powered bore-holes in the various camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the country next week.
Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, the Minister of Water Resources gave the assurance when she received some bore-hole items donated by the Eauxwell Nigeria Ltd. on behalf of the Grunfos pumbs, a Denmark-based company in Abuja.
Ochekpe said, “we will task ourselves to ensure that before the end of next week the boreholes would have been constructed in different centres to facilitate portable water supply.
“The damage flood has done has been quite devastating, and we are concerned about ensuring that the quality of water available to the IDPs is good.
“We are not only concerned about the provision of water to the IDPs, but we are working hard to ensure that the affected communities also enjoy portable water.’’
She said that the ministry had already deployed some mini water treatment plants to 10 flood affected states.
According to her, the ministry is also in the process of procuring solar-powered facilities to ensure the provision of potable water to most of the affected communities.
The minister expressed appreciation to Eauxwell for the items and urged other companies and wealthy Nigerians to emulate the gesture.
Ochekpe also called on the media to embark on enlightenment campaign to sensitise Nigerians, especially those in the various camps to imbibe good sanitation habits.?
“We are seeking your partnership in this area, we need to step up the campaign for sanitation because so many wrong habits are going on in the camps, and we can change this through public education.
“There is open defecation in the camps and people are drinking flood water, we need to talk to the communities on the dangers of these attitudes,” she said.
Earlier, the Managing-Director of Eauxwell, Mr Edwin Enwegbara said that he was moved by the poor condition of those in the various camps, and approached the Grunfos Company for assistance.
Enwegbara said that he got a donation of 10 sets of solar-powered items with two modules each from the company.
He explained that the solar powered-sets donated had the capability to supply water round the clock.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Mike Omeri, the Director-General of National Orientation Agency urged wealthy Nigerians to support the flood victims.
“I am happy that Nigerians can run to one another in times of crisis. This is the spirit of the transformation agenda that we are talking about,'' he said.
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