BAUCHI – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has spent four million dollars (N640 million) in the past three years in its effort at ensuring the availability of potable water in Bauchi State, says Mr Hossana Dajan, the Team Leader, USAID Contractors in Nigeria. Dajan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Tuesday that the amount was spent on the reform of the water sector in the state.
He refuted speculations in some quarters that USAID, under its Sustainable Water and Sanitation for Africa (SUWANSA) programme, had concluded plans to acquire through lease, Bauchi State Water Corporation. He explained that USAID was in the state to assist the corporation build its capacity, both in terms of infrastructure and operations.[eap_ad_2] He further explained that in 2007, the administration was careful in taking decisions on options of either to privatize the corporation or build the capacity of its current operators to enable it to provide optimal service.
The team leader said that the government opted for the latter option which involved minor institutional, policy and regulatory reforms, as well as the provision of infrastructure.
Commenting on the alleged increase in water tariff, he said that services provided should be matched with ‘cost.
“When you are providing services, you have to match your service to your cost. Significantly, what we are promoting is that there has to be sufficiency in the service and reduction in water wastages.
“The major concern now is not tariff; eventually, we will find an appropriate tariff that is friendly, that is affordable, and that can create efficiency in the system,” Dajan said. (NAN)[eap_ad_3]
