The Rivers State Government has denied borrowing money from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to fund water projects in the state.
The commissioner for water resources and rural development, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja made the denial on Tuesday on the occasion of the World Water Day Celebration in Port Harcourt.
Dr Jaja said rather the Wike administration saved the State of $80m by directing that the proposals be minimized.
Dr. Tamunosisi also disclosed that the governor directed that N31 million be returned to the World bank.
The water resources and rural development Commissioner assured that governor Wike is committed to making the invisible visible in areas of water project.
Meanwhile, Head of Service and the Chairman of the occasion, Rufus Godwin has called on the residents of the state to be water friendly.
Mr Godwin noted that stakeholders should come together to ensure that the ground water which is invisible is made visible and usable.
He tasked residents not to waste water during distribution and usage.
Professor T.S.A Adam in his paper presentation, identified pollution, illegally refined crude oil products and pumping of untreated sewage as threats to ground water.
Professor Adam, however, noted that to ensure sustainable water resources development, collection of hydrological data must be encouraged as well as promoting and strengthening of intra-inter agency co-operation.
Professor Adam further advised the Government to engage resources within the tertiary institutions for research data collection and analysis in the planning, development, and execution of water projects.
In his speech, the Chairman of Port Harcourt Water Cooperation, Ibibia Walter revealed that the urban sector reform and Port Harcourt water supply and sanitation supply has gotten to advanced stage .
He commended Gov Wike for the transformation in water sector.
