EU, UNICEF Earmark €20m For Water Scheme In N’Delta

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Bishmu Timilsina said the EU and the Fund would spend 20 million euros (about N4.2 billion) to provide water in rural areas in the Niger Delta region.

Timilsina told newsmen in Asaba that Edo, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River and Bayelsa States would be involved in the project.

In each of the states, according to him, two local government areas will be selected for the programme.

He said that the projects, aimed at providing potable water and ensuring improved sanitation in the benefiting communities would last for five years.

He further said that the EU and UNCEF would contribute 70 per cent of the cost of the projects while the participating states, the selected local government areas and the benefiting communities would contribute 30 per cent.

He said the EU and UNICEF would release funds based on the commitments shown by the benefiting states, adding that the communities would own and maintain the facilities.