ABUJA, Nigeria, Mar. 17, 2009 -- Atkins, in a joint venture with UK based ITAD and Abuja based Enplan, has been awarded a €7.2 million contract over two years to provide technical assistance to the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme (WSSSRP) in Nigeria.
The project is funded by the European Union in collaboration with the Nigerian government and will potentially benefit over three million people across six states - Cross River, Anambra and Osun in the south and Kano, Jigawa and Yobe in the north with central co-ordination based in the capital Abuja.
The main objective of the project is to contribute to poverty eradication, sustainable development and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The objective will be achieved by facilitating the water and sanitation sector reform process in each state through the establishment of State Technical Units manned by consultants provided under the contract. The teams will be working closely with the State water ministries to introduce the planned institutional and legislative reforms and to provide improved water supply and sanitation delivery in 39 local government areas.
The project will be mainly staffed by Nigerian professionals covering engineering, community development, procurement and finance and accounting. The work fits in with other work Atkins has been undertaking for the EU in Nigeria, notably the drafting of the National Water Resources Bill.
Although some progress has been made during the first phase of the project, a large amount remains to be done. Atkins Project Director, Ian Mathieson, said: "The main challenge will be to introduce institutional change in a very short time frame. We look forward to working with our clients to ensure an effective implementation of the reforms which will ultimately improve water supply and sanitation for a significant proportion of the Nigerian population."
Atkins is a multinational engineering and design consultancy, providing expertise to help resolve complex challenges presented by the built and natural environment.
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