In view of the prevailing erosion, water shortage and other ecological problems in Jigawa state, the state government is addressing those challenges in partnership with other agencies and organisations. MUHAMMAD ALABIRA reports.
Jigawa state government has taken a giant leap towards a brighter future for its citizens as the state governor, Mallam Umar Namadi flagged off construction projects to controll gully erosion and flooding in some local government areas.
The state government also embarked on drilling solar powered water projects in various communities worth over 12.88 billion naira to address water shortages and waterborne diseases.
All these, the state government did with the support of World Bank and ACReSAL as a bold step against gully erosion, floods, land reclamation as well as provide clean drinking water in communities across the three local government areas of Birnin Kudu, Hadejia and Gumel.
Gov Namadi explains rationale
Gov Namadi while flagging off a mega construction project to reclaim gully-affected areas to control floods in Danmasara, Kalgo and Yalwawa communities said the projects would bring a new hope and lease of life to the beneficiaries.
He disclosed that the project, valued at N10.88 billion, is aimed at restoring sustainable livelihoods for thousands of households in the affected areas.
Namadi said the project awarded to Alren Construction Company and Retercha Company Limited, involves the construction of seven kilometre U-shaped gravity-driven drainage structures, dozens of culverts and additional reinforced concrete structures.
According to him, “As designed, the project would involve the construction of about seven kilometres of U-shaped gravity-driven drainage structures, dozens of culverts of various dimensions with connecting roads over them.”
Namadi explained that this would reclaim over 400 hectares of land along the gully corridor, providing unlimited opportunities for farming, livestock and other economic activities.
He said in addition to the construction works, the flag-off event also marked the commencement of compensation payments to 479 individuals affected by the projects while adding that the compensation package, totaling N189.94 million covers lands, economic trees, crops, temporary and permanent resettlement, and livelihood restoration.
The governor equally emphasised the importance of promoting environmental sustainability while citing the devastating effects of perennial flooding, desertification, land degradation and forest reserve lost.
He also expressed gratitude to the World Bank and the ACReSAL Federal Project Management Unit for their support and commitment to the project’s success.
Gov Namadi used the opportunity to appeal to residents within the affected communities to take full advantage of the project which he said is to provide access to over 400 hectares of reclaimed land.
Benefits enumerated
He also announced a small ruminant goat-breeding support programme for vulnerable groups aimed at improving their livelihoods.
“Furthermore, a small ruminant goat-breeding support programme would be provided to carefully selected vulnerable groups targeted based on age or disability criteria so as to improve their means of livelihoods,” he stressed.
He told the gathering that the Danmasara-Kalgo-Yalwawa Erosion Control Project is part of the World Bank-assisted ACReSAL project, implemented in partnership with the state government, saying that the project aligns with the governor’s inaugural speech commitment to leverage on the ACReSAL project and other national programmes to promote agro-climatic resilience and environmental sustainability.
It was also envisaged that the projects’ overall impact will be significant, with the intention to transform the lives of thousands of people in the affected communities.
By reclaiming lands, control floods and provide compensation and livelihood support, he pointed out that the project would contribute to the restoration of sustainable livelihoods and environmental sustainability in the state.
He noted with excitement that his administration has demonstrated its commitment to addressing environmental challenges as well as promoting sustainable development since he assumed office in the state.
The solar-powered water project
What is spectacular about the whole development is that on thi same day, Governor Namadi Launched 47 solar-powered boreholes to boost access to clean water in Birninkudu, Hadejia and Gumel, respectively.
Speaking at the site of the project located at Masaya Birnin Kudu local government area, Namadi said the implementation of the water projects across the three local governments are supported by the World Bank and the Project Management Unit of ACReSAL in the state.
He stressed that the projects given to Zhonghoa Overseas Construction Engineering Company and Ragaya & Sons Nigeria Limited are expected to be completed and delivered at a total cost of N2,297,708,000 billion.
He therefore emphasized the importance of having clean and accessible water, as according to him, water is life and clean water means health.
The estimated costs
While speaking on the specific cost of the projects, he said, “The projects in Birnin-Kudu and Gumel local governments would be executed by Zhonghoa Overseas Construction Engineering Company at the cost of about N815.9 million and N745.3 million while the project in Hadejia would be executed by Ragaya & Sons Nigeria Limited at the cost of about N736.0 million,” Namadi stated.
In addition, he said that the projects, which are part of the state government’s efforts to improve access to clean water, are expected to benefit over 100,000 people in the benefiting communities, explaining that despite the state’s progress in providing access to clean drinking water, with over 90% coverage, there is still a need to do more considering it’s importance.
“As conceived, the 47 solar-powered borehole projects would be erected in three locations with 17 at Masaya in Birnin Kudu local government Aarea. Fifteen at Government Girls Arabic School in Gumel local government and 15 at Hadejia Specialist Hospital along Nguru Road, respectively.
“The three schemes would have a combined capacity to provide almost 10,000 cubic litres of water per day covering over 100,000 direct beneficiaries. Other components of the projects include an 878 cubic metre- based surface tank at Masaya and a 200 cubic metre pressed steel over-head tank in each of the schemes in Gumel Government Girls Arabic School and Hadejia Specialist Hospital,’ Namadi explained.
He said the boreholes will be equipped with modern facilities, including surface tanks, overhead tanks and solar-powered security lighting systems, for which he urged the benefiting communities to take ownership of the projects and ensure their sustainability through protection and effective maintenance.
He therefore appealed to the contractors to ensure timely execution of the projects in accordance with their design specifications and other terms of the contractual agreement even as he noted that his administration has been committed to improving access to clean water and sanitation in the state which led to the launching of the 47 solar-powered boreholes projects that are significant step towards achieving his 12 points agenda.
He said access to clean water is essential for preventing water-borne diseases, as such the project is expected to reduce the incidence of such diseases in the state.
Namadi reiterated that the projects are significant milestone in the state’s efforts to improve access to clean water as well as a testament to his commitment to improving the lives of the people in the state.
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