How SDGs/SPU impacts government projects In Jigawa

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 2030 agenda for the SDGs comprises a set of 17 goals which are aimed at transforming societies with a view to addressing social and economic development issues.

The SDGs/Special Projects Unit (SPU) of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works, and Housing has intensify effort in complimenting state`s government efforts across the 36 of the federation in the execution of various developmental projects aimed at impacting the lives of people living in the area in line with their yearning and aspirations.  

In Jigawa state like other states in the federation, the SDGs through SPU have tremendously executed numerous projects across the 27 existing local government areas particularly in the areas of health care delivery, educational development, portable water supply, electrification projects among several others courtesy of Director, Special Projects of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and housing, Alhaji Babangida Hussaini.       

The federal government has through the ministry, pledged to continue executing meaningful developmental projects under its SDGs across the 6 geopolitical zones of the federation.

Babangida Hussaini stated this at the commissioning of 39 SDGs projects executed in Kazaure, Jigawa state under the ministry for 2017/2018. He explained that the social and economic development issues include poverty, hunger, health, education, global warming, gender equality, sater sanitation, energy, urbanization, rnvironment and social justice”.

The director also said that, the programme is currently being executed in the 774 local government areas across the federation and urged the benefiting communities to take ownership of the projects to ensure sustainability.

The director said provision has been made in the 2019 Appropriation Act for similar projects aimed at addressing issues in infrastructure, health care and education across the the state and federation. He noted that

government will continue to execute meaningful development projects that will impact the lives of its citizens, pledged to also reward communities that safeguard these projects.

Also speaking on the occasion, Emir of Kazaure Najeeb Hussaini Adamu urged the benefiting communities to take ownership of the developmental projects by participating in safeguarding the infrastructure at their domicile.

He appauladed the efforts of director special projects unit in the ministry, Babangida Hussaini, for the kind gesture in bringing the projects to the state and commended Kazaure Emirate Progressive Forum for their foresight in laying foundation for the development of the area.

The emir called on the federal government and the SDG to constitute a ‘Beneficiary User Committee’ as what was obtained in the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).

Najeeb Hussaini explained that the committee will be responsible for safeguarding the executed SDGs projects at grassroots  level. “Government has done its own work, community should as well make judicious use of the projects and prevent them from saboteurs”, the emir advised.

His said, “It is sad and unfortunate that some unpatriotic citizens went around and stole some facilities installed under the projects, this can be stopped by community responsible for the safeguarding the equipments”.

The mornach then urged federal government to publicize  it’s activities as many Nigerians are not aware of its good programs and policies which have positively impacted on the lives of teeming populace especially the masses at grassroots.

Parts of SDGs projects commissioned by the emir include: provision of transformers, to be installed at, Kazaure, Roni, Gwiwa and Yankwashi local councils. Construction of motorised powered boreholes at Indirawa, Gwiwa and Roni, 3klm of roads and street light, among others.

Other places that benefitted from the SDGs through SPU in Jigawa state include Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic Kazaure, Sule Lamido University Kafin Hausa, Jigawa State Polytechnic Dutse, some general hospitals received consignment of hospital equipments and consumables, primary and secondary schools were not left behind as constructions and renovation of block of classrooms are executed while generating sets and transformers were equally distributed to some communities apart from solar street lights and number of culverts and road constructions.

The Federal University Dutse had during its 4th convocation according to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Fatima Batul Mukhtar commended the efforts of SDGs/SPU in executing projects for the university courtesy of Babangida Hussaini, saying the university is one of the beneficiary of the federal ministry of power, works and housing as 800 metres of road with drainage and culverts from the university main gate to the junction of the faculty of agriculture.

The vice chancellor stated that rehabilitation of internal roads of 18 institutions across the six geo-political zones of the country, as approved by the ministry. A two-kilometer road has equally been approved for the university and already staff of the FMPW&H cam and went round where the road would be rehabilitated.

She noted that the SDGs through SPU donated 20 computers and hospital equipments and consumables, provision of 50 solar street light and transformer to boost electricity supply at the university, commended the SDG fro the kind gesture and assured them of full maintenance of the projects.

The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 for the year 2030. The SDGs are part of Resolution 70/1 of the United Nations General Assembly, the 2030 Agenda.

Dangida is a journalist/entrepreneur based in Kano state and can be reached on 08033195532.

Leave a Reply