By Teryima Andrew
As part of activities to mark 2018 World Water Day, Plateau state government in it efforts in providing portable drinking water, collaborated with UNICEF Nigeria have dug 338 boreholes in two local government areas with acute water shortage, while 210 other borehoes still undergoing construction in the state.
It will be recalled that UNICEF in conjunction with the Plateau state government had in 2013 embarked on sinking of 543 boreholes in two local government areas of Riyom and Shendam as a means ensuing that citizens have assess to safe drinking water.
Out of the 543 boreholes, 338 has already been completed and are been used by citizens, most of the 210 under construction inspcted are about 90 percent construction.
UNICEF project consultant George Bekinbo in an interview with Journalists said all the 210 boreholes under going constructionin Riyom and Shendam will completed by the end of April this year, 2018.
The sinking of borehokes according to UNICEF and the Plateau state government is aimed at improving on assess to safe water and sanitation services, as well as basic hygiene practices in Nigeria.
Speaking separately in an interview with Journalists during the two day facility tour of boreholes, the District head of Ganawuri Mr. Yakubu Chaiman and his Bachi District counterpart Gyang Dalyop both of Riyom local government areas said the boreholes has prevented their subjects from contacting waterborne diseases that were being experience bofore the intervention.
On their parts, local government programme coordinator for Riyom Zaram Dachung and his Shendam local government counterpart Okla Kingsley affirmed that the boreholes are of international standard, and are been put to good use.
A beneficiary, a house wife in Ganawuri, Shishang Jonathan said provision of portable drinking water and construction of public toilets has greatly help in improving their healthy living.
Stakehlders said Nigeria government desire to achieve the global goal of providing access to safe water for every citizen by 2030, it needs to make water, together with sanitation and hygiene, a national priority.In the rural areas, it is estimated that more than 19 million people walk long distances to collect unsafe water from lakes, streams and rivers.
