Damaturu – The Yobe Government on Monday said communities with very difficult geology and acute water shortage in the state had been selected to benefit from its N460 million water and sanitation partnership with the UNICEF.
Alhaji Mohammed Bukar, General Manager, Yobe Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu.
Bukar said in the partnership UNICEF would contribute N300 million, while Yobe State and local government councils would contribute N160 million counterpart funds to finance the projects.
He said 220 hand pumps, 20 motorised boreholes and 40 blocks of latrines would be constructed in the rural communities under the second phase of the European Development Fund.
The general manager added that the benefitting communities had paid their five per cent contributions to support the operation and maintenance of facilities in their respective areas.
He explained that the contributions were to give the communities a sense of participation and ownership.
“I am glad to say that the benefitting communities have already made their contributions of five per cent for operation and maintenance, domiciled in `Washcom’ bank accounts.’’
Bukar also said 25 latrines would be constructed in some selected public places like markets and motor parks to check open defecation and to promote sanitation and hygiene.
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“Yobe Government has assured UNICEF that the state and local government counterpart funds of N160 million will be paid, so that UNICEF can release its N300 million to execute the projects,’’ the general manager said.
The village head of Ngeljabe, one of the benefitting communities, Alhaji Gambomi Alhaji, told NAN that the communities were committed to the programme to find lasting solution to water problems in the area.
“Some members of our communities, especially livestock farmers, were forced to migrate because of water scarcity in the area.
“We appeal to Yobe Government to facilitate payment of the counterpart funds to enable us benefit from the water facilities,’’ Alhaji urged. (NAN)