(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/New-Picture-300x201.png) The European Union has indicated its preparedness to partner with the Government of Plateau State in the area of water sanitation and healthcare delivery as part of its continued support to the socio-economic development of the state and the nation.
E.U Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. David MacCrae who spoke during a courtesy visit to the Plateau State Governor, Jonah David Jang at the Government House, Jos stated that his visit was necessitated following the earlier visitation of the team sent to Plateau State, in order to seek areas of collaboration towards ensuring good partnership with the European Union and the Plateau State Government and to assist where possible.
According to him, this partnership will develop Water policy as well as strengthen the State's Ministry of Water Resources and the Local Government administration in tackling Water Sanitation challenges.
"Water is fundamental requirement to live hence the E.U. has concluded plans to sign a Financial agreement with the Fourteen states of the federation during the European Union Day celebration holding 2nd May, 2013, with Plateau State as one of the beneficiary state", Dr. Mac Crae noted.
He said about 70 people are working in the E.U. office in Abuja, with two sections including Water Sanitation and Health. The E.U envoy also promised to assist the state in tackling water pollution due to the radioactivity of Tin – Mining during the colonial era, as well as to look into the issue of agriculture, sports, and security challenges respectively.
Responding, Governor Jang used the occasion to commiserate with the British Government over the demise of the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, describing her as a woman of substance and admiration who had helped to stabilize the British economy.
Governor Jang said his administration since inception in 2007 had placed more emphasis on water and agriculture, stressing that 2.4 billion naira has been committed to water treatment adding that recently the sum of 8 billion naira was obtained from Zenith Bank for water reticulation.
Jang equally said the issue of water ponds created as a result of Tin-mining has constituted a health hazard to the citizens of the state, whereby most people particularly women are affected by various kind of cancer. While calling on the E.U to come to their aid, the Governor informed that the state is in partnership with the Israeli Government towards establishing mechanized system of farming. To this end, he said the Federal Government had approved the Yakubu Gowon Airport for the exportation of agricultural products and other goods.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria