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AFD Says It has Invested Over $233 million in Nigeria’s Water Sector

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AFD Says It has Invested Over $233 million in Nigeria’s Water Sector

By: Michael Mike

Agence Française de Développement (AFD), a group that implements France’s policy in the areas of development and international solidarity, said a total of USD 233 million has been invested in Nigeria’s water sector.

In a statement on Friday, AFD said to date, four Water Boards and Corporations still benefit from AFD’s financial and technical support, namely: Kano, Enugu, Ondo, and Plateau. Through these interventions, over 1,800,000 people should either get better access or a new access to water. With the long-term goal to increase the water supply to local residents, these interventions include two complementary components:

AFD said water is one of the most basic and important need to human life and development. “Cooking, drinking, farming and hygiene: all those vital needs depend on water. Yet, this resource remains unevenly spread. If the southern part of Nigeria benefits of heavy rain with more than 3 000 mm yearly in Calabar and over 1 700mm in Lagos, the central part sees two major rivers, Niger and Benue, flowing across its territory, while the northern part is characterized by a dryer climate, meaning less rain, fewer and smaller rivers. In Kano for instance, less than 700mm of rain fall every year.”

It added that: “If water is essential to life, it can also be related to conflicts, damages and diseases. The diversity of water uses such as irrigation, cattle breeding, drinking water, industrial and touristic activities, can also lead to conflicts. Also, flooding which is Nigeria’s top natural disaster often results in important damages and sometimes death. In addition, the absence of sanitation poses a major threat to public health and to the environment, which can have dramatic human consequences.

“Water supply remains a major stake for Nigeria, whether in urban or rural areas. In 2019, more than 62 million Nigerians representing 30% of the population, had no access to basic water supply. In the years to come, investment needs in infrastructure will remain important in the country. In 2018, only 16 States out of 36 had operational urban water public utilities. Six States did not have water utilities at all. In a context of global warming and with a growing population, water supply however remains a strategic sector for Nigeria’s sustainable development.”

It said: “For more than 15 years, AFD has been funding Water Boards and Corporations across 7 States. Impactful projects jointly financed with the World Bank were successfully completed in Cross-Rivers and Lagos benefiting to over one million people. In Calabar and other Cross rivers towns for instance, water availability increased from 6 hours a day to 23 hours.

“In 2023, the first water project funded by AFD alone (33 million USD) came to an end. This support to the 3rd National Urban Water Sector reform program in Ogun State contributed to increase and improve the water supply of Abeokuta’s population.

“A total of USD 233 million has been invested by AFD in the sector. To date, 4 Water Boards and Corporations still benefit from AFD’s financial and technical support, namely: Kano, Enugu, Ondo, and Plateau. Through these interventions, over 1,800,000 people should either get better access or a new access to water. With the long-term goal to increase the water supply to local residents, these interventions include two complementary components:

“Provide sustainable infrastructure through the construction or rehabilitation of water plants and the expansion of the existing water supply network (SDG6 Water and SDG3 Health);

“Improve water services through streamlined governance and institutional strengthening.

“Improving water services can be achieved through the establishment of water tariff policies, the implementation of metering systems which can increase the financial autonomy and technical capacities of Water Boards and Corporations. To improve the long-term viability of urban water supply systems, it is also key to lower the maintenance costs, while optimizing operating costs and future investments.

It however stated that: “The rapid demographic growth of Nigeria will require decades of investments in the sector to provide high quality water to the population. In addition, the climate change effects that Nigeria is already witnessing, will have a significant impact on the availability and distribution of water resources and its related human activities.
The risks of conflict between uses may increase, affecting rural areas and agriculture, as it is already the case in several Nigerian States.

Beyond the intensification of conflicts between breeders and farmers, the food production capacities could be impacted. In addition, the risk of flooding will most certainly increase, whether in urban or rural areas. Without a proper water resources management, the economic and human consequences could hamper Nigeria’s economic growth.”

AFD Says It has Invested Over $233 million in Nigeria’s Water Sector

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Zulum distributes N250m to 25,000 widows, vulnerable women in Gwoza

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Zulum distributes N250m to 25,000 widows, vulnerable women in Gwoza

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum supervised the distribution of N250 million to over 25,000 widows and vulnerable women through the Borno Renaissance Microfinance Bank in Gwoza Local Government Area on Wednesday.

The distribution took place in four centres, including Central Stadium, Mega Primary School, Government Secondary School and Government Day Secondary School, all in Gwoza town.

The distribution, according to Zulum, was to support women who were victims of the Boko Haram insurgents, some of whom has lost their husbands due to the crisis.

“About 25,000 women benefited from today’s distribution exercise; each of them received N10,000 through the microfinance Bank; we have facilitated the opening of Bank accounts to them to drive financial inclusion,” Zulum said.

He added, “Gradually, we intend to cover all the 27 Local Government Areas and ensure that a sizable number of the population have bank accounts.”

.. Inspects nursing school, approves high Islamic college

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum paid an inspection visit to assess the level and quality of work at the ongoing construction of the school of Nursing in Gwoza.

Zulum, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of the work, directed that the project be completed and put to use in six months.

He explained that his administration decided to establish two new schools of nursing, one in southern Borno and another in Borno north, to address the healthcare needs of Borno’s increasing population.

“The Borno State Government has decided to establish two additional schools of nursing in the state, one in Gwoza and the other in Monguno. This bridges the manpower gap in the health sector, especially in terms of nursing services.

“You have seen the progress, and in sha Allah, this project will be completed in six months. We will ensure hostels are constructed and teachers recruited and, most importantly, enhance the capacity of the General Hospital, Gwoza, to provide a learning environment for the student nurses,” he said.

Before leaving for Maiduguri, Governor Zulum announced a plan to construct a new high Islamic college in Gwoza town that aims to streamline the formal and informal education sectors.

Zulum noted that by establishing the high Islamic college, the government intends to impart proper Islamic comprehension, thereby combating violent extremism among young people.

The governor visited the proposed site for the high Islamic College, which was donated to the Borno State Government by the late Alhaji Muhammad Lawan Buba.

Zulum distributes N250m to 25,000 widows, vulnerable women in Gwoza

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FCE Gwoza: Zulum approves N200m, houses for take-off

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FCE Gwoza: Zulum approves N200m, houses for take-off

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved N200 million and a housing estate for teachers as a take-off package for the newly established Federal College of Education, Gwoza.

Zulum announced this on Tuesday during an inspection visit to the temporary site of the college allocated to facilitate its take-off.

After approving the allocation of the site in July, 2023, the governor ordered the rehabilitation, which has now reached an advanced stage.

Zulum expressed appreciation for the quality of work at the proposed college site and urged the contractors to fast-track its completion to allow for take-off immediately.

Governor Zulum noted that the estate, which has about 12 units of 2-bedroom houses, was built to accommodate teachers as the college prepares for the first set of students’ admission this year.

Zulum has offered similar support for the take-off of Federal Polytechnic, Monguno with a N100 million grant and a temporary site for the commencement of academic activities.

Zulum had, in the past, extended support to federal government institutions providing the necessary services required for the people of Borno State.

While in Gwoza, Zulum paid homage to the emir, Alhaji Umar Shehu Idrissa Timta, at his palace.

Among many other issues, he discussed plans to resettle communities such as Bita, Hambagda, Wala, Yamteki, Modube, Ashigashiya and Guduf.

Zulum expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of the college in Gwoza Local Government Area that was devastated by Boko Haram insurgents.

FCE Gwoza: Zulum approves N200m, houses for take-off

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Yobe Goes Spiritual On Insurgents Destroying Electricity Towers

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Yobe Goes Spiritual On Insurgents Destroying Electricity Towers

By: Our Reporter

Yobe State government has launched a spiritual war against the Boko Haram insurgents destroying electricity towers which has cut Borno and Yobe states from the national grid for months now.

The towers are part of the Jos – Gombe grid serving Borno and Yobe states with electricity.

After repairing the 330 KVA towers crumbled last February by the insurgents near Kasaisa village, Gujba LGA, cutting the two sister states from electricity supply from the national grid, Governor Mai Mala Buni, on Wednesday, May 15 led a crowd of Muslim clerics in the recitation of the Holy Quran and prayers for God to punish the insurgents crumbling the towers.

The decision followed Governor Buni’s warning that after repairing the towers, he would lead the recitation of the Holy Quran and prayers against the criminals hellbent on denying the two states electricity from the national grid.

It could be recalled that the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) recently disclosed that the criminals, for the first time, crumbled the towers in December, 2023, and for the second time, in February, 2024, both of which were repaired by Yobe State government.

Leading Muslim clerics and students of the Holy Quran participated at Wednesday’s recitation and prayers session, where cows were sacrificed for Allah to expose and punish the insurgents crumbling the electricity towers.

The prayer session was for Allah to expose and punish the criminals, their sponsors, their supporters, those who help them with the tools used in the destruction of the towers, their transporters to the scene of the crime, whoever knows but refuses to expose them; buyers of the vandalized tower parts, and transformers thieves.

Yobe Goes Spiritual On Insurgents Destroying Electricity Towers

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