Benin, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) A total of 200 communities in Edo are to benefit from the N2 billion water project being executed by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in conjunction with the State Government.
The state Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Mr Yekini Idaiye, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Wednesday.
Idaiye said UNICEF would provide N1.4 billion while the state would provide N600 million counterpart fund which was about 30 per cent of the amount.
He said the projects would be cited in communities spread across Owan West, Orhionmwon, Uhunmwode, Ovia North East and Etsako West Local Government Areas with a total population of no fewer than 200, 000.
He said the project would include reticulation of water, sanitation and construction of toilet facilities in public places such as schools, market places and health centres.
‘‘These communities were carefully selected following a baseline survey across the state. In the survey, it was discovered that the selected communities lacked access to potable water.
‘‘It will interest you to know that the project is not just all about provision of water; it includes improving the sanitation of the communities by addressing the issue of open defecation.
‘‘What I am trying to say is that toilet facilities would be available in public places such as schools, health centres and markets in the benefiting communities.
‘‘Contracts for these projects will be awarded before the end of September as we have already advertised for these projects,’’ he stated.
Idaiye added that the affected communities would start enjoying the benefit of these projects before the end of the year.
