Another overhead water tank built by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and commissioned less than two months ago by the President Bola Tinubu-led government has collapsed in Ebubu community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers state.
Recall that a similar incident occurred at the Gwara Water Project in Khana Local Government Area of the state.
Reacting to the development, an Ogoni rights activist, Fyneface Dumnamene, condemned the situation, describing the incident as shameful:
“Another hyprep water tank allegedly collapses in Ebubu community … what a shame,” Fyneface said.
The situation had sparked outrage among residents and raised serious questions about project execution under the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
The facility, commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Environment alongside HYPREP as part of the ongoing Ogoni clean-up and community support programme, was designed to provide sustainable potable water to the people of Gwara community after decades of environmental pollution and neglect.
Some eyewitnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the structure suddenly gave way, sending the metal frame and tank crashing to the ground.
They however, expressed disappointment and concern over the quality of work delivered by the contractors.
They fear that the collapse may be a sign of deeper infrastructural deficiencies within recently commissioned projects.
“This was supposed to bring relief to us after so many years of suffering without clean water. Now look at what has happened in less than one week,” a resident had lamented, urging authorities to conduct a thorough probe.
They had called on the President Bola Tinubu-led government and HYPREP to ensure full accountability, review the standards applied in the project’s construction, and immediately mobilise efforts to rebuild the facility.
No fatalities were reported as of press time.
