Ibrum Integrated Services Limited, which has N1.6 billion water project contracts in the state, was given six months from May, 2008 to complete the Lafia project with specifications to refurbish the old water works, provide two additional overhead tanks at the plants’ booster station along Shendam Road and NTA area, and to provide underground pipes through the metropolis to channel water to the various sections of Lafia.
But the project suffered serious hitches, with the completion period dragging on till yesterday, when the company’s engineers invited government officials to witness the test run at the booster station along Shendam Road.
The main tank, whose capacity was put at 3 million gallons, was filled to the brim in the test run, but its stands then began to wobble, made a screeching noise before pumping water to the various channels. Engineers and government supervisors who stood at the foot of the main tank had a premonition of impending disaster coming and they took to their heels, leaving behind some construction vehicles behind.
The stands then collapsed and the overhead tank came crashed down, ramming into construction equipment and sending water surging water into adjoining offices and all the way down the Shendam Road. Even though the booster station’s premises was hard hit, no one was hurt as the engineers and government officials had all scampered away. Nasarawa State Commissioner for Water Resources James Agule Kasse spoke to newsmen shortly after he led the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Timothy Anjide for an on-the-spot visit to the collapsed structure, thanking God that no lives were lost.
Kasse blamed “technical problems” for the tank’s collapse but told newsmen the management of the contractors was yet to report to Lafia to give reasons. He said, “The contractor is not around. We want to meet with the contractor first because the project is still under him, and is only being test run.”
The project was expected to be presented for commissioning soon.
