President Bola Tinubu on Thursday inaugurated 15 motorised boreholes in Benue to address the problem of portable drinking water in the state.

Mr Tinubu, while inaugurating the projects at Wannue, Tarka Local Government Area, said the National Lottery Trust Fund funded the boreholes.

He was represented by the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zephaniah Jisalo.

Mr Tinubu said 19 motorised boreholes were constructed by the trust fund, adding that 15 were in Benue’s Tarka and Gboko local government areas.

“Let me commend the management of the trust fund for successfully delivering 19 motorised boreholes across the nation within the shortest possible time.

“These noble projects in water and sanitation will no doubt bring access to clean portable water closer to the beneficiaries, curb the spread of diseases, and improve the health of the benefiting communities,“ he said.

He said the lottery has huge potential as a wealth generator and impacts the economy’s growth; therefore, the government will strengthen the lottery legislation.

“Given the potential of the lottery/gaming business, one can easily appreciate the enormous prospect that it holds for a country like Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million people.

“Accordingly, the government will do everything humanly possible to revitalise this industry that holds great promise for Nigeria in raising enormous revenues.

“Therefore, the government is committed to putting policies meant to automate revenue collections, repealing the National Lottery Act (NLA), 2005 with the National Gaming Act, in order to accommodate the growing dynamism of lottery business in the country,” he said

The president appealed to the benefiting communities to own the projects and protect them for improved sanitation and hygiene.

Earlier, Bello Maigari, executive secretary/CEO of the National Lottery Trust Fund, said they have constructed 15 motorised boreholes in 15 selected communities in Benue.

“The World Bank estimates that 70 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water. Nigeria has abundant water resources but poor water management practices and inadequate infrastructure.

“This knowledge has further consolidated the agency’s initiative to provide the basic infrastructure needed to strengthen access to clean portable water,” he said.

(NAN)