fbpx
Connect with us

News

Despite spending millions of Naira, the residents of Birnin Kudu in Jigawa State  lack access to portable water.

Published

on

 

Our investigation revealed that major parts of Birnin Kudu communities have been grappling with this dire situation for over 2 years now, despite numerous complaints lodged to the relevant authorities. According to the community members, the problem of water scarcity in the area persists despite government allocating huge amount of money to address the issue, resulting to several challenges for the people in the communities.

In the past, Birnin-Kudu Local Government enjoyed uninterrupted water supply for over four decades utilizing and accessing water from the dams constructed by the former Kano State Governor, Audu Bako. However, subsequent governments pay little attention in maintaining dams forcing wealthy individuals in the community to resort to building boreholes as an alternative source for water, leaving the less privileged in dire situation.

Another concern raised by the residents during an interview with the reporter of CITAD Radio was the supply of untreated water to the community people by the Jigawa State Ministry for Water Resources. Despite spending 27 million Naira monthly by the Birnin Kudu Local Government authority, portable water remains elusive for the community. This supply of untreated water has caused significant challenges for the residents including adverse health challenges, difficulties in irrigation farming, and domestic usage.

This challenge is not unique to the residents of Birnin Kudu alone in the state, reports by Wikkitimes and Sahara Reporters in 2021 revealed that Jigawa State Government spent six billion Naira on portable water supply in the state, yet the situation remains unaddressed in many local governments in the state including Birnin-Kudu Local Government.

Speaking to Jigawa State Radio Cooperation, the chairman of Birnin Kudu Local Government, Magaji Yusuf Gigo stated the Local Government spends approximately 27 million Naira every month to provide portable water to the residents but the problem persists. Lamenting about the recent problem encountered in the Local Government, the chairman attributed it to technical fault in the engines that power the motorized water channels.

#

A resident of the community queried that if the previous administrations could pumped water three times a day why the current administration with all the money being spent could not supply the water at this moment when people need it the most.

In an exclusive interview with our reporter, a resident of the community, Mallam Da’u of Rijiya-Bakwai, lamented that he spends over 1000 Naira every day on water, but still it could not be enough for his daily usage. Speaking to our correspondent also, Malam Ashiru Yaro of Mahauta also shared his frustration, stating, “I cannot recalled the last time I turn on my tap and saw water.”

This water scarcity has caused local communities lose their primary source of income, which is irrigation farming. Discussing the challenges irrigation farmers are facing in the community, Malam Bala Mai Kayan Gwari who spoke with our correspondent in distress said “before this issue started we used untreated water released from dam for watering. However, since this problem arose, we resorted to using pumping machines which is very costly due to the high cost of diesel in the country”

Also, speaking to CITAD Radio correspondent, Malam Sani Zakari stated that his child was hospitalized due to drinking untreated water released from the dam.

In the 2023 budget, the Jigawa state government allocated over 200 million Naira for water supply and other related issues. However, the question remain, would this money be utilized for its intended purpose?

Reporting by Salim Sani Shehu; edited by Ali Sabo

News

President Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation for Lt. General Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff

Published

on

 

President Bola Tinubu on Friday wrote the Senate, seeking confirmation of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede’s appointment as the substantive Chief of Army Staff.

“In his letter sent today, President Tinubu seeks Oluyede’s confirmation in accordance with the provision of Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement.

The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu writes Senate, seeks confirmation of Lt. General Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff.’

Tinubu appointed Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30 following the illness of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

General Lagbaja, however, died on November 5.

Onanuga said, “President Tinubu is confident about the leadership qualities, professional integrity, and experience of Lt. General Oluyede to lead and inspire the army to ensure national security and stability.”

Before he was appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff, Oluyede, a member of the 39th Regular Course, like his predecessor, served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

 

#
Continue Reading

News

Lawyer Alleges Tenure Elongation Plot in Letter to Governor Yusuf

Published

on

 

Barrister Mustapha I. Zubair, a prominent lawyer and politically conscious citizen of Kano State, has written a letter to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, alleging a plot by certain senior civil servants to extend their tenure of service beyond the mandated retirement age. The letter, which expresses deep concern over the issue, highlights the potential implications of such actions on the state’s governance and public trust.

Zubair, a registered voter of Gwale Local Government, begins the letter by expressing gratitude and admiration for Governor Yusuf’s leadership and pro-people policies. “Your exemplary leadership and pro-people policies have continually fostered growth and prosperity, and we, the citizens, are deeply appreciative of your dedication,” Zubair states in the letter.

However, Zubair quickly shifts focus to the matter of tenure elongation, which he describes as a growing concern among the people of Kano State. “It is evidently clear that after the recent posting of permanent secretaries in the state, some top government functionaries who will be due for retirement in December 2024 are now striving day and night to secure tenure elongation only for themselves,” he alleges.

The letter emphasizes the potential negative implications of such actions, suggesting that the attempt to prolong service tenure by a few senior civil servants could undermine the principles of fairness and transparency in the state’s administration. Zubair urges Governor Yusuf to address the issue promptly to maintain public trust and ensure that the state’s governance remains transparent and accountable.

The letter concludes with a plea for Governor Yusuf to take immediate action to prevent any attempts at tenure elongation and to uphold the integrity of the state’s civil service. “We trust in your commitment to justice and fairness, and we believe that you will take the necessary steps to address this issue,” Zubair writes.

The allegations have sparked discussions among political observers and citizens, who are keenly watching how Governor Yusuf will respond to the concerns raised in the letter.

 

#

Continue Reading

News

FG Obeys Court’s Order, Stops FAAC Allocation to Rivers State

Published

on

Senator Bola Ahmad Tinubu

 

The Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu has confirmed that it has stopped the October monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue payment to Rivers State.

The development comes amid the ongoing face-off between Governor Simi Fubara and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike.

According to the Spokesperson of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, the decision to stop the payment was made in respect of a court order.

Mokwa disclosed that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) will respect the court order, which barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian government from disbursing monthly allocations to the Rivers State government.

His words: “What I got is that the October 2024 FAAC has not been distributed yet. However, the Federal Government will obey the court order on the matter of Rivers State allocation.

#

“We are going to follow due diligence as long as there is no contrary order. In case there is a contrary, the status will remain.”

He added, “The process of disbursement of the October 2024 monthly allocation is going.”

The court order was obtained by the factional Rivers State Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, who had filed an originating summons against the Rivers State Executive, under the leadership of Simi Fubara.

The Amaewhule faction had alleged that the Rivers State Executive was yet to comply with the order of a Federal High Court directing it to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill to the faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Continue Reading

Trending