The Niger State government has approved the sum of N300m for water supply to the residents of Minna, the commissioner for water resources, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed, has said.
Mohammed made the information known at a post-executive council meeting briefing at the government House, Minna, and explained that the money would enable the ministry tackle its short-term challenges.
She said N80m would be used to tackle the power supply challenge at the Chanchaga Water Works to guarantee constant power supply.
She said N25m had been set aside for the fuelling of the three generators at the water works to complement the services of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) during power outages or supply of low voltage service to the plant.
?She told the News Agency of Nigeria that the state water board had improved water supply to the people by 40 per cent, within the past weeks, in areas like Maitumbi, Unguwa Daji, Bosso Estate, Bosso Low Cost and Sabon Gari wards in Minna township, which had no functioning reticulation lines.
Mohammed said the ministry would concentrate on the repair of reticulation lines and laying of new ones in the town.
She also assured that water supply in the township would be greatly improved within the next two or three weeks, when the reticulation and other repair works would have been completed.
The commissioner said the ministry would work hard to ensure the provision of water for the people, but urged the people to cooperate with the government.
In a related development, the commissioner for livestock and fisheries, Dr. Isah Vatsa, said the government had concluded plans to upgrade 22 grazing reserves in the state, by providing amenities such as watering points, for animals and nomads.
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Vatsa said that basic clinics would also be provided for nomads to enhance their health and those of their flock.
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