By Anwuli Obieke
The Delta State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) has opened bids for 33 water supply and sanitation projects scheduled for implementation across five local government areas under the 2026 Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme.
The projects are expected to improve access to potable water and essential sanitation facilities in communities across Ughelli North, Okpe, Isoko South, Ukwuani and Ndokwa West Local Government Areas.
The bid opening exercise, attended by the agency’s General Manager, Engr. Clement Adiotomre, forms part of the procurement process preceding the selection of contractors for the projects.
The proposed interventions cover the installation of simple and complete solar-powered water schemes, rehabilitation of existing water facilities, as well as the provision of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in primary schools and primary healthcare centres.
Speaking at the exercise, RUWASSA’s procurement official, Engr. Charles Ehwarieme, explained that the opening of bids did not automatically translate into contract awards, as all submissions would first undergo a detailed evaluation.
He said the evaluation committee would examine the documents submitted by participating companies to establish their compliance with the requirements and procurement guidelines governing the exercise.
According to him, the outcome of the evaluation would subsequently be forwarded to the Procurement Committee for further consideration and ratification before decisions on successful bidders are communicated.
Ehwarieme assured the participating contractors that the process would be conducted in accordance with established procedures, urging them to exercise patience while the necessary assessments were being completed.
The exercise offered participating contractors and other relevant stakeholders the opportunity to witness the formal opening of the submitted bids, an important stage in ensuring openness and accountability in the procurement of public infrastructure projects.
When implemented, the 33 projects are expected to address some of the water supply and sanitation needs of beneficiary communities, particularly through the introduction of solar-powered facilities and the rehabilitation of existing schemes.
The inclusion of schools and primary healthcare centres in the intervention also places emphasis on improving sanitary conditions in public institutions where access to clean water and proper hygiene facilities is essential for the wellbeing of pupils, patients and healthcare workers.
The SURWASH Programme is a broader intervention aimed at expanding access to sustainable water supply, sanitation and hygiene services in participating states, with particular attention to underserved communities.
For the benefiting communities in Delta State, the successful conclusion of the procurement process will be a critical step towards translating the proposed interventions into functional facilities.
The next stages will involve the evaluation of bids, consideration by the relevant procurement authorities and communication of decisions to the successful contractors before the projects can proceed to implementation.
