Musa Na Allah Sokoto
The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) has engaged in a two-day sensitization workshop on an exit strategy for line Ministries and Ministerial departments for sustainability and ownership of Mabera storm Water management works in collaboration with World Bank.
The aim of the two-day sensitization is to inculcate the habit of cleanness and maintenance of drainage works in Mabera and Tudun wada executed through a joint Partnership between Sokoto State Government and the world bank in 2021.
The project which cost over two billion Naira was awarded for the contract to Messrs COBERG UDOK AND COBAC early last year by the state government with a view to arresting the continued threat of stormwater to the residence of the two communities in the state metropolis.
Speaker after speaker at the two-day event spoke on the need to ensure the sustainability of the project, ownership, and its routine maintenance.
According to the coordinator of the project Doctor Abdul Rahman preparations for the handing and taking over of the drainage works is in top gear as close to 90 percent of the works have been completed.
He said despite challenges experienced by the contractor in the execution of the project, it however became earlier than expected.
The district head of Gagi Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi in whose domain the project was executed said any household who allowed his portion of the drainage to serve as a refuse dumping site should hold responsible and a penalty thereafter would be mated on him.
“Myself and all residents of Mabera have pledged to ensure the maintenance of the drainages and we hope to established a community-based Association that would monitor all the drainage links against blockage and refuses to dump,” says the district head.
The representative of the state commissioner for the environment who also double as permanent Secretary of the Ministry Alhaji Mu’azu Madawaki said it’s exactly one year since the project was the flag off by Governor Aminu Waziri.
The commissioner further said the project is at 98 levels of completion, saying that the law established by the state government on the environment is still in force and anyone found wanting it would work on him.
He appreciates the cooperation and supports his ministry enjoyed from the state government throughout the completion of the project.
