(By Abdullah TsohoDUTSE)

In an effort to ensure an hygienic environment and to reduce open defecation, the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) with the support of the Jigawa state government has concluded arrangements to build 240 toilet blocks across 120 schools in the state.

The Managing Director Jigawa state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) Engineer Labaran Adamu dropped the hint yesterday while speaking to newsmen in Dutse, the state capital.

He explained that UNICEF will also support the Jigawa state government to provide over 280 water hand pumps in ten local government areas in the state.

According to him, the projects will cost about N18.260 million, with UNICEF providing fifty percent of the funding.

Some of the local government areas to benefit from the projects include Kiyawa, Kafin Hausa, Birniwa, Roni, Dutse, Sule Tankarkar, Guri, Gagarawa, Birnin Kudu, Buji and Ringim local governments.

Adamu further explained that the projects will be executed in eight local governments through DFID, while the remaining two will be executed through the EU.

85 percent of Jigawa communities, particularly in the rural areas, have access to hygienic water.

Adamu assured the commitment of the state government to support any organization that is willing to improve environmental sanitation and supply hygienic water in the state.