HYPREP Launches Probe Into Collapsed Ogoniland Water Project

ITODE AKARI

Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), has expressed deep concern over the collapse of the overhead tank at the newly commissioned Gwara Water Station in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, saying it had launched a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and underlying causes of the incident.

The facility, inaugurated just four days earlier alongside the Bane Community Water Project by Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal, gave way on Wednesday morning.

The water scheme is part of key interventions recommended in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland, aimed at restoring safe water supply to impacted communities.

HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, has also set up a high-level committee to inspect the site.

According to the agency, the committee has already visited the site and will conduct a thorough probe to determine whether the collapse resulted from structural failure or third-party interference.

HYPREP expressed sympathy to the Gwara community and appealed for calm, assuring that efforts are underway to restore the damaged facility and resume water supply to the affected areas.

“HYPREP remains committed to continue to deliver quality projects that meet best standards. It has introduced both internal and external measures to ensure quality assurance and control.

“This includes the engagement of a Project Consultant, EcoProject, supervision from the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit and Water Supervisors among others,” the agency said.

HYPREP further disclosed that aside this isolated case, it has successfully commissioned 16 water stations currently supplying water to over 40 communities, some of which have been operational for more than two years.

It added that robust sustainability measures are in place to ensure the continued functionality of its water projects including the establishment of Water Consumers Associations (WCAs), the construction of solar farms for alternative power supply, and the training of laboratory staff.

The agency emphasized that one of the distinctive features of the HYPREP Water Project is the inclusion of a laboratory to guarantee that water supplied to communities meets World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.

“HYPREP remains committed to continue to deliver quality projects that meet best standards. It has introduced both internal and external measures to ensure quality assurance and control.

“This includes the engagement of a Project Consultant, EcoProject, supervision from the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit and Water Supervisors among others.

“But for this isolated case, 16 Water Stations have been commissioned, supplying water to over 40 communities. Some of them have been running for over 2 years, ” it added.