….urge residents to brace up for water rate payment
As work on rehabilitation, expansion and upgrade of Gombe regional water project near completion stage, residents have been urged to support government through prompt payment of water rates.
Our correspondent gathered that there have been cold feet among residents on the need for water rate payment, on the other hand government claims it would help in the maintenance of facilities.
Our correspondent reports that the team comprising heads of agencies in the ministry, and contractor had visited ongoing projects in Tabra, Tumfure booster station, NTA booster station, Special Development Zone booster station, Wurojuli where water will be reproduced and distributed as well as Women centre overhead tank.
Disclosing this the Gombe State Commissioner for Water, Environment and Forest Resources Mohammed Fawu, assured that the yet to be completed project is expected to serve the underserved communities in the metropolis and environs.
Fawu who expressed satisfaction with the level of work expressed optimism that the project would bring succour to many residents adding that “We are really satisfied with what we have seen and we have understood clearly what they were trying to tell us. This project was conceived by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya. Given the time provided in the contract for completion we are really satisfied and when it starts operating the people of Gombe State will experience improvement in terms of supply of water as it will go round in the whole of Gombe metropolis. The ministry is satisfied vis-a-vis the money that has been paid so far.”
On provision of constant water supply Fawu disclosed that there about three sources of power supply saying “All the stations visited there are provisions for three sources of power, we have solar panels, there is stand by generator and they have all been connected to the power grid.”
While urging for prompt payment of water rate, the Commissioner noted that the rate was far cheaper compared to daily expenses.
Fawu added, “Residents will see government spent over 11billion for the project what I want Gombe indigenes to know is that government must have borrowed, or it came from it coffers they should ensure they promptly pay their water bill to the right people and ensure they issue them proper receipts because the payment of water bills will ensure the maintenance of the structures because it needs to be maintained.
“It an aspect we are looking at now, when you look at an average household that spends about N1000 to N2000 to source water everyday. I see no reason if government supplies water to you paying for the water should not be a problem. We will enlighten them in terms of enlightenment, highlighting all the benefits that are in this project.”
While urging communities yet to get reticulation of pipelines especially around wurogali behind Investment Quarters, Fawu said, “The connection is still ongoing. It has not been concluded as I’m talking to you now, ofcourse if you go to a particular neighbourhood you will not be able to lay pipes on every street but there are some major streets the pipes will be laid and those houses without pipes in their street can link to the pipes that major pipes have not reached your dwelling you won’t get water, they shouldn’t have the insinuation. If there is anybody that resides around places where reticulation has taken place they should know that water will get there.”
On his part, Project Manager Jidadu Ventures, Engineer Abubakar Barambu, assured that the project would be completed by 2024, adding “As you can see we gone round the sites and the state government is happy with the level of our work, the quality of our work and they are very impressed.We have attained 90 per cent completion what is left is installation of electro- mechanical part of the project.
On the coverage of the project Barambu said, “it’s almost in every part of Gombe metropolis. We are meant to lay about 158 kilometers of pipelines, construction of booster stations that are meant for distribution to each and every part of the state. It will be completed early next year (2024).”
