Eni, FAO commission integrated water schemes in N/E states

Sopuruchi Onwuka

Italian oil multinational, Eni, says it has delivered 11 rural water projects in the states of Borno and Yobe, northeast of the country.

The integrated water schemes, according to the Italian firm, comprise boreholes, solar power systems, treatment facilities and fetching points. It added that the schemes are designed to provide water for domestic consumption and irrigation purposes. 

The water facilities as they were handed over to the authorities of Borno and Yobe States.

Eni operates in Nigeria through its local Agip companies which operate different oil and gas production agreements with the government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. The companies include Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Nigerian Agip Exploration (NAE) and Agip Energy & Natural Resources (AENR).  Whereas NAOC operates onshore oil and gas production joint venture with NNPC, NAE and AENR operate offshore production sharing agreements with NNPC.

Eni stated in a media release that the water projects in the communities of the north east states which have been ravaged by insurgent Islamists were delivered in partnership with the NNPC and in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

 Eni stated in Abuja that its Nigerian NAE and AENR units acted on behalf of the NNPC in their partnership with the FAO of the United Nations to commissioned the 11 water schemes located in Borno and Yobe States.

The integrated rural water schemes, the company stated, were constructed under the framework of the “Access to Water” initiative implemented by FAO and Eni, “in collaboration with Eni’s partner, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).”

The public-private partnership model, Eni stated, leverages the skills and know-how of the public and private sectors to improve access to water for the communities affected by the humanitarian crisis in the North East.

At the handing over ceremony, the FAO Country Representative for Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Fred Kafeero, said: “The solar boreholes and FAO’s larger investment in irrigation and water management is a signal of our commitment to support the government of Nigeria achieve its development goals. In the northeast, the availability of safe drinking water and water for agriculture is central to growth and livelihood recovery.”

Eni’s Head of Sustainable Development, Alberto Piatti, said: “The handover of the water schemes is a cornerstone in the collaboration with FAO in the region that is contributing to improve the life of the communities. With the completion of the project, thousands of people will have access to clean water, which is a concrete step to enhance the overall living conditions of the inhabitants, providing them a safe source also for other uses, such as agriculture, to boost concrete social development.”

The water wells, powered with photovoltaic systems, were completed between 2018 and 2020 in various communities located in selected Local Government Areas of Borno State; but the official commissioning and handover of the water schemes could not be held until now due to the volatile situation of the area.

The benefitting communities in the state are in Chibok, Biu, Damboa, Gwoza local council areas. Those in Yobe State are in Machina, Fune, Gujba, Geidam, Bade, Potiskum and Fika council areas.

Eni said it has partnered FAO on delivering some 22 water well projects since 2018 under the framework of the Access to Water initiative. Five of the projects, it said, are in Abuja Federal Capital Territory and 17 in North-East Nigeria, notably in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

“Overall, the initiative has contributed to improve sanitation and restore the livelihoods of about 67,000 people, including internally displaced people and their host communities,” the company stated.

“The first water well, providing water for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host community in Waru, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was commissioned in November 2018, and the remaining 4 water schemes in FCT were commissioned in November 2019. One of the five water schemes located in Borno State (Bama LGA) was commissioned in June 2019, while five located in Adamawa State were commissioned in October 2021.”

The “Access to Water” initiative is implemented in the framework of the Collaboration Agreement between FAO and Eni in Nigeria, geared towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG1 – No Poverty; SDG2 – Zero Hunger; SDG6 – Clean water and Sanitation; SDG13 – Climate Action, and SDG17 – Partnerships for the Goals.

The water schemes are solar-powered and provided with back-up power system to ensure availability and sustainability. Those producing drinking water are equipped with a reverse-osmosis plant to treat and purify the water.

As part of the initiative, the relevant local authorities are involved to provide support in training and sensitizing the communities on water management and practices for long-term sustainability.