PMP urges Jigawa govt to take over water supply from 27 LGAs

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The Exceptional Leadership and Integrity Promotion Initiative (ELIP) formally known as Project Monitoring Partnership (PMP) has called on Jigawa state government to revisit its position of surrendering operations and maintenance of urban water supply to local governments most especially daily supply of diesel.
The call was contained in a statement signed and issued to newsmen by the Executive Director of ELIP initiative, comrade Isah Mustapha yesterday in Dutse.
The statement said with the current fiscal crises coupled with provisions made in Jigawa state water and sanitation policy, ELIP observed that it will be difficult if not impossible for LGAs to provide routine supply of diesel and other maitainances.
According to the statement, the recent case in Gwaram Tsohuwa were community members are drinking from a contaminated pound is clear testimony to the situation.
“we therefore appeal to state government to take ownership of operation and maintenance of urban water supply from the LGAs. So they will focus on small towns and rural water supply.
“Water is been recognizes as an economic asset, with over growing population the state government may equally find it difficult to maintain its schemes in future.
“The initiative also called on the state government to consider public private partners arrangement as pilot study using box pop method has shown that an average household spend N100-N120 Naira daily to buy water; the report further reveals that most respondents will pay 1000-1500 as monthly water trip”, the statement said.
Meanwhile the ELIP commended the efforts of Jigawa state government on fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the state, and appreciate the contributions of other stakeholders including donor partners.
Then the statement assured to collaborate with government and improve socio-economic well-being of citizens in Jigawa state.