PEWASH Projects : FG Warns Against Substandard Jobs

By Georgina Humphrey

The Federal Government has warned contractors that it will no longer entertain any substandard job in the expanded water sanitation and Hygiene, PEWASH, projects across the country.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, gave the warning at the 2022/2023 PEWASH Project implantation take off meeting in Abuja.

Prof. Utsev represented by the Director of Water Supply, Nicholas Madu said already Counterpart Projects Matching based on the PEWASH Protocol have been signed with five State Governments.

He noted that some of the challenges in PEWASH have been linked to water supply system failure occasioned by majorly non-adherence to contracts specifications and poor construction practices, resulting in abandonment of dysfunctional systems.

He emphasized that the Ministry recognizes qualitative and timely projects delivery to its beneficiary rural communities and will therefore not accept transfer of contracts from one party to another.

“I will like to emphasize that the Ministry recognizes qualitative and timely projects delivery to its beneficiary rural communities and will therefore not accept transfer of contract from one party to another; deviation from the contract’s specifications, terms and conditions; and delay in the contracts execution.

“Thus, I enjoin you to strictly follow the laid down guidelines from commencement to completion,” he said.

Earlier in her welcome address, PEWASH National Coordinator, Jummai Wakaso, stated that the programme was designed for the improvement of rural water supply and sanitation, towards achievement of SDGs 6.

She added that increase in accessibility of water supply and sanitation in rural areas would address the reported increase of sanitation related diseases claiming lives in rural communities.

“The PEWASH programme was designed for the improvement of rural water supply and sanitation, towards the achievement of SDGs 6, to increase access to water supply and sanitation, to address the pathetic situation of reported increase in the number of people dying from avoidable water and sanitation related diseases in our communities”.

The PEWASH 72 water borehole project which includes construction of simple solar-powered borehole across five states is aimed at eradicating diseases associated with inadequate water supply.

Edited By Grace Namiji