NIGER EXPENDS N1.1BN ON WATER

Niger State Government expended N1.1billion on water projects in Minna and its environs between January and May this year, the state Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida has disclosed.

The governor said this in Kataeragi, Katcha Local Government Area of the state during the official commissioning of six mini water schemes as part of activities to mark this year's democracy day celebration, saying provision of potable water to the people remained a priority to his administration.

Governor Aliyu said so far the government had in the last three years committed close to N3.5billion to the provision of water in Minna metropolis and some towns in the state.

He pointed out that additional N2.1billion would be required to complete other on-going water projects in Agaie, Bida, Kontagora, Mokwa and Katcha Local Government Areas of the state before the end of this year. The water schemes were among the numerous projects the governor commissioned to mark the democracy day in the state.

Others included primary school buildings in Paikoro Local Government Area of the state and six mini water supply schemes for six communities in the state.

The governor said in addition to these, the administration would before the end of the year sink 200 boreholes in different parts of the state worth N250 million, adding that government had also decided that each secondary school in the state would have one borehole each.

The governor gave the assurance that his administration would complete all on-going projects in the state before the end of his administration, stressing that the government would complete work on the Katerregi hospital which the local government started while the one at Kutigi had also been taken over by the government to be completed before the end of the year.