EDTF COMMISSIONS WATER PROJECT
As part of its drive to support the development of the educational sector, the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) has commissioned two (2) 9000 litres capacity Water Projects in Community Secondary School (CSS) Toru-Ndoro, in Ekeremor Local Government Area and Community Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS) Angiama, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State. The projects were executed in collaboration with Sustainable Partnership Initiative for Development (SPID). Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Secretary (EDTF) Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Atuwo expressed fulfilment, describing the commissioning of the water projects as a significant milestone which was part of the collective drive towards the provision of portable water in the schools noting that it will improve the sanitary situation in the schools. According to her, the EDTF had made several impacts through strategic interventions in the area of water to safeguard school children from the outbreak of cholera and other unidentified epidemics. Dr. Alice Atuwo explained that the EDTF has embarked on five (5) similar project in line with its WASH Programmes in various Rural Secondary Schools in collaboration with other development partners in the State. She used the opportunity to commend the Sustainable Partnership Initiative for Development (SPID) as being worthy partners who deployed their expertise towards ensuring the timely completion of the project stating that EDTF was desirous to continue to provide water facilities in more Rural Secondary Schools. She therefore urged the beneficiaries of the project to own the project, guide against vandals as well as maintain and sustain the project.
In his remarks, the Acting Chairman of EDTF, Professor Francis Sikoki expressed delight in the project noting that, the schools were also a beneficiaries of the recent distribution of science and agriculture equipment to Rural Secondary Schools while calling on the leadership of the community to support government’s efforts by sustaining and protecting the water projects as well as other educational facilities sited in their communities. He commended the Sustainable Partnership Initiative for Development (SPID) for their immense contribution towards the completion of the project.
Also speaking, the House Committee Chairman on Education in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly (BYHA) Dr. Charles Daniel poured encomium on the EDTF for their wonderful support towards the development of education, describing the fund as a unique educational agency in Bayelsa State. He called on the leadership of the communities, the school management and the students to sustain and ensure the protection and maintenance of the facility for effective use.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Education Dr. Gentle Emelah, who was represented by The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Simon Peter Okene lauded the EDTF for being proactive and supportive in the collective quest to improve the standard of education in the State. He also called on the leadership of the Communities, the School Managements to make Students to sustain and maintain the water facility as well as to ensure the protection of the project for good use.
In their goodwill messages, the Chairman, TTRCB Dr (Mrs.) Stella Peremoboere Ugolo and the Chairman Scholarship Board, Queen Dr. (Mrs.) Josephine Izonbodor-Torru also appreciated the EDTF for their benevolence in the provision of portable water in the schools and encouraged them to continue their good works in the educational sector to better the lots of the people in the State.
Contributing, the Secretary, Science and Technical Education Board (STEB) Professor Akpoebi Egumu expressed delight that the EDTF is also paying attention to vocational education by proviing educational facilities to technical colleges in the State.
In their separate response, the representative of the Toru-Ndoro Community, Mr. Felix Odubo and the Principal CSS, Toru-Ndoro Mrs. Lilian Porri appreciated the Bayelsa State Government and the EDTF for the intervention and assured their willingness to sustain and protect the facility.
Contributing, the Project coordinator, Sustainable Partnership Initiative for Development (SPID) Weni Igirigi said the provision of the 9000 litres capacity water project was in line with sustainable development goals (6) to ensure water and sanitation for all, stating that the project was aimed at serving both the secondary and primary schools as well as the communities.
Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha was among other personalities that witnesses the occasion.