Otuoke, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s hometown, is among communities that would benefit from the Central Ogbia Regional Water Supply Project in Bayelsa State being undertaking by the Federal Government.

Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, who inaugurated the project, said 13 communities, including Otuoke, would benefit from the N5.9 billion project.

Adamu pledged federal government’s commitment to completing all abandoned water projects in order to improve the livelihood of citizens.

He noted that the recently launched roadmap on water resources underscores the need for short and long term strategies for effective and efficient delivery of water to the people.

The minister said: “The project we are inaugurating today is among the high priority projects for water supply.

“This project commissioning, therefore, further demonstrates that the Buhari administration is committed to completing all viable projects that have positive impact on the lives of our people without any political sentiments.”

He called on the host communities to take ownership of the water project by maintaining it for improvement of livelihood and reducing water borne diseases.

Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Serena Dokubo, commended the Federal Government and called for more of such projects in other communities.

Dokubo added that the state would also continue to embark on projects that would impact on the lives of the people.

Ben Murray-Bruce, the Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial district, noted that the water project would save lives and boost the people’s living standards.

“A lot of children die from consumption of unclean water, a lot fall sick, you have to spend more to take them to the hospital to get cured,’’ Murray-Bruce said.

About 130,000 people are expected to benefit from the N5.9billion project.

Former-President Jonathan has been criticised for failing to provide potable water to his hometown and neighbouring communities despite being in power, either as deputy governor, governor, vice president or president, for 16 years.