Atkins awarded contract to improve water supply and sanitation in Nigeria - 20 March 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.”
Ends
For more information:
Imogen Parker Tel: +44 (0) 1372 754353
imogen.parker@atkinsglobal.com
Notes to editors:
Atkins (www.atkinsglobal.com) is a multinational engineering and design consultancy, providing expertise to help resolve complex challenges presented by the built and natural environment. Atkins is the largest multidisciplinary consultancy in Europe, the largest engineering consultancy in both the UK and the Middle East, and the UK's second largest architecture firm.
Atkins’ current projects include:
• Major infrastructure works, such as design and programme management of the civil works for the Dubai Metro red and green lines;
• In the defence sector, the MoD’s Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) programme – overseeing the development of the next generation of medium weight armoured vehicles for the military;
• Significant road contracts, such as a £150 million, five-year integrated contract for Gloucestershire County Council, delivering highway maintenance, design, emergency response, winter maintenance, re-surfacing and recycling;
• Key rail projects, including a £65 million, three-year resignalling contract in Basingstoke; and
• High profile designs, such as Durrat Al Bahrain, a spectacular 20 sq km resort for 45,000 people on the south coast of Bahrain, comprising 13 man-made islands.
Atkins won Engineering Consultant of the Year 2008 at the prestigious Building Awards. The company was named among the 20 Best Big Companies to Work For 2009 by The Sunday Times; The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2008; and The Times Top 50 Companies Where Women Want to Work 2008. The company was construction sector winner for the third consecutive year in the Target National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2008.
Atkins is the official engineering design services provider for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.