NAN-AE-6
Boreholes
By Blessing Odega
Jos, March 22, 2017 (NAN) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says the Plateau Government has released N176 million as its counterpart contribution toward the construction of 590 hand-pumped boreholes in 411 locations in two councils.
Mr Abdulai Kaikai, the Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, who also oversees Plateau, said this in Jos on Wednesday during the commemoration of the 2017 World Water Day.
He said the 590 hand-pumped boreholes were located in Shendam and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau.
He said that the European Union, UNICEF and the Plateau Government were collaborating to provide potable water for rural communities in the state.
Kaikai stressed that the provision of the boreholes would aid efforts to reduce the incidence of water-related diseases in the state.
The UNICEF, who bemoaned the hours which many children spent hours daily in search of water, said that the development was largely responsible for the lateness or absenteeism of many girls in schools.
He called on communities to explore ways of diversifying their water sources, while increasing their capacity to store water in a safe way. (NAN)
UBO/MOL/OOK
============
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi and Dayo Komolafe