By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
In a determined efforts to boost water supply in Damaturu the Yobe State capital, and environs, Governor Mai Mala Buni, has directed the State Ministry of Water Corpration to supply free diesel, private boreholes weekly in Damaturu and environs.
Supervising the distribution on Monday, the General Manager of the State Water Corporation, Engr. Mahdi Zarma explained that the effort is to cut down cost of the water trucks for the general public.
“Government has recently increased the supply of diesel from 40,000 litres to 60,000 litres to over 100 government boreholes in Damaturu, and environs but we came to realize that some areas that are overpopulated still have the challenges of getting water at a subsidized rate from the water vendors”.
“We are giving 10 litres of diesel each to some selected private boreholes in Damaturu the state capital to cushion the sufferings of the buyers. The borehole operators charges N300.00 per truck thereby forcing the water vendors to sale the truck at about N1,000 to residents depending on the location, therefore with this development, we hope they will reduce the cost for the general public or the buyers” he said.Omokaro stated this at a one-day capacity enhancement workshop for commissioners and Directors of Social Welfare from 36 states and FCT on the domestication of NSCC Act 2017 and the National Action Plan on Ageing on Tuesday in Abuja.
The workshop was organised by the NSCC in collaboration with the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA).
She urged stakeholders to focus more on providing social care for senior citizens, especially their healthcare needs.
Omokaro said that there would be a paradigm shift from the perception of some Nigerians about ageing after the meeting.
“Our mandate is to improve the life and wellbeing of older persons, and I am very mindful of your various efforts in humanitarian interventions.
“Especially the distribution of palliatives in recent times, the campaigns for domestication of the Child Rights Act in States, your increasing commitment to equity and inclusion of the older population.
“So, Please open your minds for these discussions because at the end of the day, we should be able to shift and look at the older person’s needs and programmes beyond Palliatives,” she said.
She said that ageing is supposed to be an economic sub-sector that can generate revenue as well as fetch dignity, and strengthen the human rights of older populations in the country.
“Our focus in this meeting is to present an optimistic perception about ageing that will drive a holistic approach to ageing programming, guided by NSCC Act 2017 under the National Policy on Ageing.
“We are here to build on your efforts to share our vision and request collaborations on the multi-sectoral approach.
“This will make challenges of older persons a holistic development concern rather than a one- off welfare mandate,” Omokaro said.
