There are several projects listed in the 2015 budget for different communities in Niger State. Tracka team visited some of these areas to follow the implementation of the budgetary provisions across Niger, and observed only a few ongoing and abandoned projects.
The team tracked 24 Federal Constituency projects between the months of February and March and noted only one completion.
Although some communities have multiple provisions in the budget, the rate of completion overall remained significantly low.
A N10 million borehole provision was provided for the Ijah Gbayi Community in Niger, although completed, the water station is out of service, and the community members are subjected to walk miles to fetch water.
The Principal of the Community School, Ijah Gbayi, Mr. Barnabas Daudu expressed their disappointment over the short-lived borehole, he said: ” It didn’t even work up to one month, the pumping machine stopped working and couldn’t run water to the overhead tank.”
Also, there was a provision of 60 boreholes and electrification project across the local government areas in the state. Unfortunately, none of these provisions has been implemented; our team met with the village heads, youth leaders, and residents to engage them on budget line items for their community. From our engagement, we noticed the community members fetch water from a stagnant river and small pits to serve their household needs exposing them to water-borne diseases.
This water shortage is in addition to the lack of power supply; these factors tremendously affect human living conditions, hence the high rate of underdeveloped communities across the State.
As scheduled for other focus States, we will hold more town hall meetings to sensitize the community members about budgetary provisions that affect them. Also, charge them to ensure the budget-making process is inclusive, it captures the essential needs of the people and most importantly, engage their Representatives at the National Assembly to demand service delivery for the societies.
