By Umar Faruk, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the $700 million Federal Government-World Bank Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) program. A team from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the World Bank visited the state on Tuesday to assess its water sector in preparation for the program's implementation.
Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafida, assured the team that the state would meet all expectations for the project, including budgetary allocation. "The incumbent administration of Governor Nasir Idris will adhere to all stipulations and meet all expectations for the project, including budgetary allocation for the programme," he said. Tafida added that the state would demand that the sponsors fulfill their obligations for the scheme's success.
The Team Leader and National Coordinator of the Programme, Engr. Abdulhamid Adamu Gwaram, explained that Kebbi State has graduated from the eligibility level and qualified to proceed to the second round, preparatory to the last stage of readiness and accessibility. "Kebbi is desirous of using the availability of funds by the World Bank for the development of water supply and sanitation sector," Gwaram said. He described the SURWASH program as a $700 million World Bank-assisted initiative that requires beneficiaries to show results of positive implementation and impact before accessing funds.
Gwaram expressed confidence in Kebbi State's capacity to deliver, saying, "We are confident that Kebbi State has the capacity, capability and ability to deliver." Kebbi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Bello Abdullahi Ka'oje, praised Governor Nasir Idris for his interest in partnering with the Federal Government and the World Bank to ensure sustainable water supply and sanitation in the state.
The assessment visit aimed to ascertain the water supply sector in the state and the government's aspirations for the program's sustainability. Ka'oje was accompanied by Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmad Birnin Kebbi. With this development, Kebbi State is poised to leverage the SURWASH program to improve its water supply and sanitation sector, ultimately enhancing the lives of its citizens.
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Water Supply Project