By Vincent AluechiaThe General Manager of the Benue State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, BERWASSA, Engr. Ejembi Ella, has charged communities to take ownership of water projects located in their places.He spoke while inspecting on-going water projects being executed by the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund, UNICEF, in partnership with the Department For International Development and the Benue State Government in Tarka local area.Engr. Ella stated that the communities could own the projects by paying their percentage on the projects and ensuring their maintenance. He disclosed that by paying the counterpart funding of N100 million the Ortom administration has attracted 116 water projects to four local governments under the Sanitation, Hygiene, and Water in Nigeria, SHAWN. According to Engr. Ella all the eight water projects in Tarka which are hand pumps have been completed. The General Manager said Konshisha has 46, Oju, 45 and Ogbadibo, 16, made up of hand pumps and motorised boreholes some of which have been completed while others are on-going.Engr. Ella explained that Tarka had the lowest number of projects in the current intervention because it had benefitted in previous exercises. He expressed gratitude to Governor Samuel Ortom for re-engaging with the development partners and urged local governments and communities to take a cue.Beneficiaries who were seen fetching water from the water projects at the time of the visit, Samuel and his sister Iwuese Atorough, Doom Songor and Pastor Nduar Orkuma, said the boreholes have brought relief to the communities.They stated that before the projects were completed, residents of the community had to source water from nearby streams and distant boreholes leading to inability of children in the area to go to school on time and lack of water to bathe and cook regularly. Some said farmers were also using the boreholes for irrigation purposes.In her remarks, Tarka local government caretaker chairman, Mrs Phoebe Dajo, represented by her Deputy, Mr Shachia Tarka, thanked Governor Ortom for committing resources to the wellbeing of the people.She requested for more of the projects and motorcycles for supervision and monitoring.The tour would continue with visits to Konshisha and Oju tomorrow.
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