In a bid to end water scarcity in some communities in Niger State, the Ministry of Water Resources and Dams Development has opened bidding to overhaul and rehabilitate some water works in the state.
The project, when completed, would enable the State government provide adequate and affordable water to the citizens especially in the five urban cities of Bida, Minna, Suleja, New Bussa and Kontagora respectively.
Opening the bidding at the conference hall of the ministry in Minna on Wednesday, the selected two companies that submitted their bids were China Zhonghao Nigeria limited with 16 and half months completion period at the sum of 19.5 billion Naira, with also 150 days bid security.
Also, the CDC Nigeria Limited submitted its bidding with 18 months completion period at 11.1 billion Naira both for the two treatment plants in Suleja and Chanchaga. The third selected company, Bi-Water, withdrew from the bidding.
The Commissioner of Water Resources and Dams Development, Abubakar Azozo, expressed happiness that it had shown transparency while, assuring the companies that the ministry would be just and fair to them.
He said diligent work would be needed within the shortest period of time.
Mr Azozo, who is optimistic that availability of water to the people of the state is paramount, assured residents that the present administration in the state would do its best to provide adequate and affordable water to the citizens especially in the five urban cities of Bida, Minna, Suleja, New Bussa and Kontagora respectively.
He assured them of adequate monitoring by the ministry’s engineers to ensure standard of the contract agreement when it finally commences as will ensure recouping of whatever the government invested within two years.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Abubakar Sadiq, in his remarks, said that project would involve a complete turn around maintenance to overhaul the two water works in the state to ensure optimal water supply to the citizenry.
He expressed satisfaction over the transparency exhibited during the bidding processes and gave the assurance that the ministry would go ahead to study the technical aspects of the bidders to ensure the best company wins the contact.
Sadiq added that palliative measures would be put in place, to overcome some of the challenges. In line with this, he said that a 2,000KV generator had been provided to supply power for water pumps.
He noted that the project duration would be achieved if the government on its part would provide funding adequately.
The ministry consultant and Managing Director of Integrated Engineering Associate, Mr Hassan Umar, who also submitted an estimate of nine billion Naira within 18 months completion period stated that nine (9) contractors were invited to access the facilities and submitted their experiences.
He said that that after the bid, selection of the winner would be made within two weeks.