In a bid to provide water for its rural communities, the Kogi Government said on Sunday that it would carry out fresh geological survey to determine the state’s underground water level.
The state’s Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr Mohammed Umar, told newsmen in Lokoja said that the survey would be carried out in the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
He explained that an earlier survey carried out during the military era, which put the underground water level in Kogi West and Kogi Central at between 60 metres to 80 metres and Kogi East at between 180 metres to 200 metres, had become out-dated.
He stated that geologists in ministries and other government establishments were being mobilised for the exercise, adding that they would soon be deployed to the field.
Umar estimated that the survey could take four to six weeks to complete.
He, however, said that the outcome of the survey might not alter government’s policy of providing hand pump and motorised boreholes for rural dwellers in Kogi West and Kogi Central.
He said that due to the nature of its soil, surface water schemes would be provided for rural dwellers in Kogi East.
“We have procured sophisticated rigs to strike underground water for the benefit of rural dwellers in the state to improve their quality of life,’’ he said.
The commissioner said that government was also considering the possibility of constructing public toilets in rural areas along major highways to curb open defecation and spread of disease among the people.
He said that it was unfortunate that the affected communities had turned roadsides and bushes around their houses to toilets, hence the decision to provide the toilets.
Umar also explained that the communities would be responsible for the maintenance of the toilets and other facilities in their domains.
On the provision of electricity for rural communities in the state, Umar said that 15 of the communities hitherto, connected to the national grid were currently without light as the transformers servicing them had packed up.
“The transformers are already undergoing repairs and they will be returned to the affected communities in a matter of weeks,’’ he said.
The commissioner said that the ministry had decided to drop its preference for 100KVA-300KVA transformers for the modern and portable 50KVA which he said, was cost effective and easier to maintain.
“Our earth-moving equipment, bulldozers, rollers, graders, low bed lorry and pay loader are being refurbished in readiness for the rehabilitation and construction of feeder roads in some rural communities.
“This will commence as soon as the rainy season is over,’’ Umar stated. (NAN)