From Maiharaji Altine, Gusau
The United State for International Development (USAID) is to support UNICEF in improving water, sanitation and hygiene services in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states.
This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, office of the Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Idris Salisu.
The statement said that the UNICEF’s Chief Field Officer, Sokoto, Mr. Mohameden Fall dropped the hint when his team visited the state to inform the government on the project initiatives in the three Northwestern states.
The UNICEF team in their follow up visit to Zamfara, were received by the Acting Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe (Sardaunan Dan’Isah) in his office last Friday.
The UNICEF has secured the sum of $9,978,800 about N4.1 billion from USAID earmarked to improve the services of water, sanitation and hygiene in the three selective states.
According to the UNICEF, each of the three states are to provide three local government council areas for the conduct of the projects.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Sokoto Field Office, had earlier this Month submitted to the State Government an identification projects documents for formal confirmation and interest in the project.
Part of the conditional requirements by the UNICEF from government, is the fulfilment of 40 percent capital contribution for infrastructure activities which amounts to approximately N170m for three local government areas to be included in the project.
The Government who has already affirmed its interest on the projects, also held a meeting with the team under the acting Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe (Sardaunan Dan’Isah), and has discussed issues on how to go about the project in the state.
The acting SSG has assured the team of the Government’s cooperation and all other necessary support needed by the UNICEF in conducting the project in the state.
