Gombe water resources ministry partners NEWSAN in delivery of WASH services
Gombe State Commissioner for Water Resources Mijinyawa Yahaya, has reiterated the resolve of his ministry to partner with NEWSAN in providing safe Water Sanitation and Hygiene for residents of the state.
Yahaya noted that the administration of Governor Muhammadu Yahaya has shown commitment in ending Open Defecation by 2025, adding that the administration has restored water supply to both the city centre and rural communities.
He said the desire of government to attain Open Defecation Free, made the Governor to sign order 006 baning open defecation in Gombe State, as well as enter a number of interventions for the sake of actualizing the target.
The commissioner made this disclosure when he received a team from Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) led by the State Coordinator Dr. Sani Jauro.
Yahaya revealed that through Partnership for Expanded Water Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme over 300 boreholes have been sunk with the communities.
He said, “We are charged with the responsibility of ensuring our people get water. The ministry has always operated an open door policy and we always welcome our partners in progress such as Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN). if we look at the SDGs goal number 6 specifically it is about bridging the gap in water supply and sanitization. Alot of activities are taking place in the water and sanitation sector specially with the declaration of state of emergency, which also led to baning open defecation introduction of programmes like PEWASH and SURWASH.
“We want to tell you here and now that we are keying into all these programmes because in Gombe we have gaps in water supply and sanitation. All efforts are made to ensure that these gaps are been bridged that informed the declaration of state of emergency in the wash sector and the signing of order 006 baning open defecation in Gombe State and then keying into the (PEWASH) Partnership for Expanded Water Sanitation and Hygiene and then recently keying into the SURWASH programme Sustainable Urban Rural Water Supply Sanitization and Hygiene to ensure we provide water for our people and ensure that sanitation aspect not left behind. We wish to tell you that this ministry is willing to partner with your society to ensure that we achieve Open Defecation Free by 2025. As well as bridging the water gaps that our people are suffering at the moment.”
While assuring of further interventions, the committed stressed that the current administration is willing to support initiatives that would help the state to accomplish the WASH services.
“You will agree with me that alot has been done in the water sector especially the restoration of water supply to the city and the surroundings and ofcourse improvement of water supply in the local government areas. This is because we had done alot apart from the Dadinkowa water treatment that has been operating from 2019 to date, we have maintained our borehole schemes in the rural areas.
“Under the PEWASH programme alone we have drilled over 300 boreholes in the rural areas. It ongoing because very soon we will start the next phase of the PEWASH programme that will lead to construction of more boreholes for our people, so that they can access safe and clean water. NEWSAN is welcome to ministry of Water Resources, we will continue to partner with you and your expertise advice is always welcome and we look forward to a profitable partnership that we will ensure that our people get the WASH services they deserve to get,”Yahaya added.
Speaking earlier, State Coordinator of NEWSAN Dr. Jauro, who was represented by the Secretary Abdullahi Hussaini bemoaned the observed challenges, adding that alot required to be done.
The state coordinator commended the resolve of the government in ensuring that water is provided to residents in some parts of the state.
“If you look at the motor park, hospital they are lacking of adequate toilet and other facilities. We are here to strengthen our partnership in ensuring that residents of the state enjoy Water Sanitation and Hygiene,” Jauro said.
