Taiwo Olawale
19 August 2008
Dutse — Determined to hasten rural development through provision of basic infrastructure, the Jigawa State Government plans to spend about N400 million on the provision of electricity and water in rural communities before the end of this year.
This was announced by the State's Commissioner for Information Mohammed Aminu, who briefed newsmen at the end of the 14th State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in Dutse.
According to Aminu, the council approved the release of N302.5 million for the electrification of 15 communities and the sum of N93.8 million for the drilling of boreholes with hand pumps in 134 communities.
"Council approved the release of N93.8 million for the drilling of 134 boreholes complete with hand pumps in communities spread across ten local government areas in the state".
"In the same vein, approval was given for the electrification of 15 communities in 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs) at the cost of N302.5 million. These projects are expected to raise standard of living and ultimately hasten development in the affected communities", he said.
He said the State government was determined to improve standard of living in the rural areas so that indigenes can properly participate and contribute to the overall development of the state no matter where they are.
And, to underline its determination in making all water related projects work properly for the people, he announced the approval of the sum of N28.1 million for the purchase of a borehole drilling machine as well as water testing equipment by the Ministry of Water Resources.
Shedding more light on the drilling of boreholes equipped with hand pumps, the Commissioner in charge of Rural Infrastructure and Community Development, Abdulkadir Jinjiri, explained that the ultimate aim of the government is to discourage the digging of open wells in the state.
He noted that open wells, which are very popular in rural communities, are veritable sources of water borne diseases, saying that by replacing them with hand pumps, the State Government would be stopping the spread of these avoidable diseases.
"We intend to ban the use of open wells in the State. This is why we are making efforts to provide hand pumps in all communities across the State. The boreholes would help stem the spread of avoidable water borne diseases which are often aided by open wells", he said.
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