Following the recent collapse of the overhead tank at the newly commissioned Gwara Water Station in Khana Local Government Area, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced proactive measures to restore potable drinking water to Gwara and other neighbouring communities.
Announcing this at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, HYPREP’s Legal Adviser and Vice Chairman of the Investigative Committee, Barr. Ichibor Gowon, expressed concern over the incident, describing it as a temporary setback.
According to him, the Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, had already set up a high-level committee to visit the site and commence investigations into the immediate and remote causes of the collapse.
“As you know, we have commissioned 16 water projects and all are in good shape. This is an isolated case, and we will restore the facility as soon as possible,” Gowon assured.
He assured that HYPREP remains committed to ensuring that residents of Gwara and adjoining communities have access to safe drinking water, noting that investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of the structural failure.
Contributing, HYPREP’s Head of Communications, Dr. Sorbarikor Wigo, said the agency has maintained a record of five million man-hour safety since inception, underscoring its commitment to quality delivery through qualified consultants.
“This project, which was meant to serve five communities, collapsed two days after commissioning. Despite this challenge, HYPREP will continue working to provide potable water to 65 communities before the end of the year,” he stated.
Wigo further highlighted other ongoing projects, including the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, mangrove restoration, and the Ogoni Power Project, noting that all have recorded significant progress.
HYPREP said its investigative team has already visited the site to determine possible structural defects or external interference. The agency appealed for calm, assuring the Gwara community that restoration work will begin promptly.
The agency reiterated its commitment to delivering quality, sustainable projects that meet international standards, emphasizing that sustainability measures including the establishment of Water Consumers Associations, construction of solar farms for power supply, and training of laboratory staff are being implemented to ensure long-term functionality of the water projects.
Baring his mind, Engr. Tabe James, another member of the investigative team, made it clear that HYPREP will leave no stone unturned in its probe, maintaining that the agency’s quality assurance and control processes remain uncompromised.
