President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday commissioned N2.6 billion water plant in Otobi, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue.
In his speech at the occasion, the President commended Gov. Gabriel Suswam for establishing water projects in the state.
He said such projects would not only assist in reducing the incidence of water borne diseases, but would also address the water and health needs of the cluster communities they were meant to serve.
“More than 30 per cent diseases are water borne and by the construction of this water project, you have solved not only the water needs of the people, but also taken care of their health needs,'' Jonathan said.
Earlier, Gov. Suswam, who conducted the President round the site of the project, said the construction of the water plant was in fulfillment of his campaign promises to the people.?
He said the plant was constructed to demonstrate the goodwill of the PDP- led administration in the state, and expressed the hope that it would outlive his administration.?
The governor explained that the government had entered into a one-year maintenance agreement with CGC, the construction firm that built the plant.
Senate President David Mark, who expressed delight that the project would relief the people of the area of their water needs, said the plant would be operational for the next 30 years.?
In an interview with newsmen, Mr Ye Shuijim, the General Manager of the water plant, said the plant had an installed capacity of pumping 10,000 cubic metres of water per day.
Other projects to be commissioned by the President during his visit to Benue include another Water project at Adikpo and road networks at Anyiin. (NAN)