Taiwo Olawale
22 July 2008
Dutse — To meet its target of effectively addressing the problem of perennial water shortage in Dutse metropolis and other parts of the state, the Jigawa State Government plans to intensify its collaboration with the European Union (EU).
The Commissioner for Rural Infrastructure and Community Development, Alhaji Abdulkadir Jinjiri, disclosed this in Dutse while declaring open a one day workshop on sanitation organised by the state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) in conjunction with UNICEF.
Jinjiri said, "in order to meet its set objectives in the areas of water supply and sanitation, the state government would strengthen its collaboration with the EU to intensify efforts towards the establishment of a sustainable water and sanitation drive which will effectively reach all the nooks and crannies of the state."
He explained that UNICEF's water and sanitation programmes coincide with Governor Sule Lamido's belief that water supply and sanitation are the bedrock of rural infrastructural development; and added that the government would continue to encourage the participation of local governments and communities in the UNICEF programme.
The Commissioner also commended the EU, UNICEF and the Federal Government for selecting Jigawa State as one of the benefiting states in the UNICEF water and sanitation programme.
Earlier in his address, the Managing Director of RUWASA, Alhaji Abbas Adamu said the first phase of the water and sanitation programme has been successfully completed, noting that ten solar powered boreholes were built in Birnin-kudu, Babura, Dutse, Mallam-madori, Gumel, Taura and Kazaure.
He also disclosed that two blocks of 3 VIP latrines with hand washing facilities were constructed in ten selected primary schools while 50 hand pumps were completed in 50 selected communities during the period.
The state government has made the provision of potable water and basic sanitation one of the cornerstones of its social development programme. Its partnership with EU and other international agencies like UNICEF in these areas is expected to help the state meet its targets faster.
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