Japan donates water equipment to Bauchi, Katsina States and NWRI, Kaduna

[The InfoStrides]

The Government of Japan through its agency, Japan International cooperation Agency (JICA), has donated drilling equipment to Bauchi and Katsina States as well as National water Resources Institute, Kaduna.

 

In her remarks during the handing over of the equipment in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe said that the assistance of Japanese Government through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was sought through the National Planning Commission for grant–in aid for rural water supply and sanitation to the Nigerian government.

 

She said that Japanese Government granted approval to Bauchi and Katsina States to benefit from the grant-in Aid since 2010.  The equipment provided, include drilling rigs, air compressor, trucks with crane facilities, geophysical investigation instruments for electrical resistivity surveys, pumping test equipment, water analysis equipment, LGA and community level mechanic tools, PVC casing pipes and screens and  soft component.

 

The Minister further said that the aid was extended to National Water Resources Institute Kaduna (NWRI), under the Technical Cooperation Scheme which enables Japanese experts to train Nigerians working at the Institute. 

 

The Minister advised the benefiting State governments to give priority to maintenance and management of the equipment so as to ensure effective and efficient use and optimal performance over time.

 

While commending the Japanese Government for this gesture, the Minister requested for further assistance to cover more states to accelerate the attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on water and sanitation.

 

"Let me assure you that the Government of Nigeria will continue to contribute in a robust manner to all initiatives towards improving the water sector management of the country by continuously strengthening collaboration with the state governments.  We will also sustain efforts to mobilize additional resources from Government at all levels and from other donor agencies and also to attract investments from the private sectors towards ensuring sustainable water development in Nigeria", she said.

 

While speaking at the occasion, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Mal. Isa Yuguda commended the Japanese Government for assisting Bauchi and Katsina States with the water equipment.   He said that such intervention would support the State government's efforts in the provision of water to rural areas.

 

Yuguda appealed to the Federal Government to facilitate the completion of Kafin Zaki dam, which he said would provide over 2 Million jobs to Nigerians in the State when completed.

 

Earlier, the JICA Chief Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Seki Tetsou said that JICA's support to Nigerian water Sector dated back to 1994 with the National Water Resources Master Plan Draft followed by the Grant Aid cooperation to Oyo State in year 2000 to improve water supply so as to achieve zero tolerance to Guinea worm.

 

"Japanese cooperation is unique in the sense that we do not only provide the equipment but also transfer technologies and knowledge, which I am proud of as one of our greatest advantages in this rural water supply projects; JICA experts literally went to the local people to show how to operate, maintain the equipment water infrastructure and environment around for sustainable development", he said.

 

The Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Ryuichi Shoji also said that the grant aid to Bauchi and Katsina States amount to about 1.2 Billion Naira.  He added that more than 150 new water supply stations would be constructed and about 50,000 people would benefit from it in the two States.   

Federal Republic Of Nigeria | nigeria.gov.ng