Jigawa State Executive Council, under the leadership of Governor Umar Namadi, has approved over N482 million for critical water infrastructure projects aimed at improving access to potable water across the state.
At its meeting held on Monday, May 12, 2025, the Council approved N241,797,600 for the construction of 90 AFRIDEV hand pump boreholes in selected communities and an additional N241,039,144.50 for the rehabilitation of faulty water facilities.
The move reflects the administration’s ongoing commitment to public health, safe drinking water, and rural development in all 27 local government areas.
In another major decision, the Council gave the green light for the establishment of Steering and Technical Committees for the implementation of the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity & Equity (HOPE) programme, a World Bank-supported initiative designed to enhance governance in the health and education sectors.
The Steering Committee will be chaired by the Deputy Governor, while the Technical Committee will be headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Budget Ministry.
Both bodies comprise senior officials from key ministries and agencies across the state, including education, finance, health, and statistics.
The terms of reference for the committees include developing annual action plans, monitoring implementation progress, evaluating performance, and resolving challenges that may hinder programme success.
These roles are crucial in ensuring the state meets the eligibility and performance criteria tied to World Bank disbursements.
Governor Namadi’s administration expressed optimism that Jigawa will emerge as a model state in executing the HOPE programme, citing the government’s recent investments in basic and higher education, public health, and human capital development.
The Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sport, and Culture, Sagir Musa Ahmed, who signed the official statement, reaffirmed that both initiatives, the water projects and HOPE implementation form part of the broader vision to improve the quality of life for all citizens in the state.
With these bold steps, the state government continues to prioritize infrastructure, social welfare, and institutional reform as pillars for sustainable development.
REL/USMAN MZ
