By Joy Gadani
Gwagwada community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, North West Nigeria has called for adequate security for the rapid growing population of the area.
The rural community, also known as Gadani had just been provided with a borehole and toilet facilities constructed by an NGO, Transfer of Appropriate Sustainable Technology and Expertise (TASTE) Nigeria.
Speaking at the inauguration of the facilities, Councillor representing the Community, Sunday Barde noted that the area has continued to witness influx of displaced persons from neighbouring communities due to banditry and kidnap attacks.
He therefore appealed to the State Government to as a matter of urgency, provide adequate security to safeguard lives and property of the residents.
In a goodwill message, the Village Head of Gadani who was highly appreciative of the intervention by the NGO, stressed the importance of water to life.
The project ,he said, has increased access to water to reduce the spread of disease in the town due to the population growth.
The Program Manager, North East Regional Initiative (NERI)/USAID Office of Transition Initiatives, Chikodinaka omokide said that the program seeks to build community resilience and community security
. “Gwagwada is a community in Chikun LGA, hosting about eight to ten displaced communities.
Communities like Kogosi, Five Thirty, Kakamai, Shipe, Toko, these communities were displaced from their own communities and they found succor and currently residing in Gwagwada”, she explained.
According to her, the increased population arose from the movement of people from neighboring communities to settle in Gwagwada, consequently leading to scarce resources and water being a major issue
The project targeted at reducing this burden on the community which housed several Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), she said.
At least, 48 members of Gwagwada community, in March this year, underwent a three day training by TASTE in Kaduna as community leaders who would maintain and ensure sustainability of the project.
The project, aimed at strengthening community resilience through capacity building and increase access to clean water and sanitation facilities, was funded by USAID and executed by TASTE, an NGO based in Jos.
