TAKUM (Federal Ministry of Water Resources Report) – The Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Reng Ochekpe has said that the Nigerian Government would maximise opportunities such as potable water supply, agriculture, power, tourism, aviation, transport as well as trade & investment in the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam for the benefit of the host communities and the country.
Sarah Reng Ochekpe disclosed this during the inspection of the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam in the Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State accompanied by the Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo (Prof.), the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke as well as the Minister of State for Power, Muhammed Wakil recently. She added that all the important sectors of the economy in the country would visit Kashimbila to assess the contributions they can make towards maximising the potentials available in the project.
Speaking on the 40 megawatts hydro power plant, the Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo averred that the Federal Government has approved the contract for the evacuation of the 40 megawatts of electricity. On tourism, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke inferred that the project team has already developed a master plan to integrate tourism into the project, adding that the number of facilities on ground are enough to start the tourism element in the site.
The Publicity Department of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in the monthly report of activities of the Ministry for December 2014 published on Wednesday January 7, 2014 noted that during the period under review, the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) held its 60th Council of Ministers Meeting in Niamey, Republic of Niger. Adding, Nigeria’s representative at the meeting, Wakil Adamu, who is the Director of Planning Research and Statistics of the Ministry on behalf of the Minister of Water Resources commended the Nigerian government’s efforts at reviving the Lake Chad Basin. The report further noted that Nigeria is the only country amongst member states that has paid off its 2014 contributions and all outstanding arrears.
Also, the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Sanusi Imran Abdullahi in his speech at the meeting hinted that the gathering was part of preparations to implement the Five – Year Investment Plan (FYIP) of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
According to the publicity, the Nigerian government flagged off the National Water Supply and Sanitation Data Survey to enhance the performance tracking system for the Water Supply and Sanitation sub-sector on Wednesday December 10, 2014.
“The Federal Government has flagged off the National Water Supply and Sanitation Data Survey that would enhance the performance tracking system for the water supply and sanitation sub-sector. During the flag-off ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Musa Fuktur Istifanus said that the objective of the survey was to have updated information system on all public water supply and sanitation facilities and to ascertain the percentage of the population which has access to improved sources of water supply and sanitation,” the report indicated.
In his remarks at the occasion, the World Bank representative, Hassan Kida stated that the World Bank has supported the development of data survey for the sector since 2007; noting the database would be used to identify locations and the operational status of water supply and sanitation facilities as well as determine the level of national access to improved water supply and basic sanitation.
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