By John Oba
Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarang Ochekpe has appealed to the chairmen of all local government councils across the country to give more priority to provision of water and sanitation to the rural populace as this would reduce the spread of water borne diseases in the country.
Ochekpe made the appeal yesterday when she received the chairman of Bassa Local Government Council of Plateau Hon. David Racha in her office in Abuja.
Ochekpe said that lack of adequate potable drinking water is the major cause of diseases in the rural communities, it is therefore important for the Local Government Councils to partner with the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure that all citizens have access to potable water.
She said “The present administration has put water as top priority that is why on assumption of office; the Ministry of Water Resources was re-created from erstwhile Ministry of Agric and Water Resources”
She also said the Government was making effort to complete water projects that were started by the previous administrations. Adding that water projects are usually capital intensive, therefore the ministry is strengthening collaboration with state and local governments to ensure that safe drinking water is made available to all Nigerians.
She disclosed that the commencement of construction of work on Mangu dam which was recently approved by Mr. President will boost water supply in Plateau State thereby bringing development to the entire state, adding that the propose dam at the University of Jos would serve as major infrastructure for students studying water engineering in the University.
The Minister further called on all the people of Plateau State on the need to live in peace and tolerate of one another for development to take place in the state.
In his remarks, Racha commended the minister’s efforts towards upgrading of water project in Mangu as well as the approval of the President to commence work on the Mangu Dam.
He appealed to the contractors handling the projects to employ youth in the community as this would enable them maintain it as well as create job for them while also calling on the FG to encourage the use of irrigable land in Kwall community for farming as this will empower the local farmers and boost employment for the youth.