…….Commissioner for Water, Environment and Forest Resources assures completion in two months
…..urges residents to desist from vandalisation of equipment, illegal connection
…harps on payment of water rates
The Chairman House Committee on Water and Environment Musa Manager-Zambuk on Wednesday, lauded the Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, for prioritising the well-being of residents through the provision of potable water supply.
Our correspondent reports that the delegation comprise house committee members, alongside Commissioner for Water, Environment and Forest Resources Mohammed Fawu, and contractor; Project Manager Jidadu Ventures, Engineer Abubakar Barambu, 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.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA recalls that the rehabilitation, expansion and upgrade of regional water project is a joint venture between Federal Government, Gombe State Government inaugurated at N11.4 billion as at January 2023.
Federal Government’s stake is 30 per cent, which amounts to about N3 billion counterpart funding while the state has 70 per cent amounting to about N8 billion.
Manager-Zambuk who represents Yalmatu West under Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area commended the foresight and level of work done by the contractor.
He said, “We’ve gone around and seen a lot of things including the ones we didn’t know before, and we really appreciate what the government is doing, particularly, in ensuring that water supply reaches the nooks and crannies of Gombe metropolis. I appreciate the work and I’m highly impressed with the performance of the government.”
While urging for work to be expedited Manager-Zambuk stressed that water is essential, “My call to action is to facilitate the immediate commencement of water supply to the Gombe people because from all indications people are complaining about water issues. Water is life without water there’s no life I must appreciate the commissioner concerning that,” the Lawmaker added.
Speaking, Commissioner Fawu noted that he was impressed with the latest since his last visit in November 2023.
He said, “I’m highly impressed because the last time that we came it was only structures that were in place, how ever now we can see that the electromagnetic components have been installed and the only thing is just for the solar panels to be installed which are already here.
“The last time we came the contractor informed us that the solar panels were on their way but we have seen it physically that they are on ground and they have installed all the industrial, submersible pumps and all the electronics and wiring have been done has been installed just for the panels to be installed and testing will commence soon God’s willing.”
On his assurances to the people of Gombe State on the completion the Commissioner added, “I can assure you that the supply of water will be improved significantly because the water that is servicing Gombe right now comes from Dadin Kowa which was initially constructed to cater for about 250,000 population however, Gombe State population is almost one million so definitely, there will be problem of water supply. However, when this project is completed if someone is getting water one or twice in three weeks the person will get once or twice in a week and this is a significant improvement of water that will go round.”
He also appealed to residents gear towards payment of water rate for maintenance of the the investment.
“But the only thing I will plead with Gombe citizens is for them to pay their bills because this investment need maintenance and i don’t think is proper for us to always run back to the government for something we can actually maintain so there’s need for us to get something in order to run it very properly. I need to appreciate His Excellency for the foresight because if the previous administration had put something like this in place or even demonstrate to solve water problem then we will not be where we are right now. The treatment plant at Dadinkowa was constructed 17 years ago and since then nothing has been done, however with the coming of this regional water project rehabilitation and expansion it will go a long way,” he added.
The disclosed that work would be completed in two months time adding, “The contractors assured us that in the next two months, they will commence testing and supplying water to all the places that this project is supposed to cover.”
Fawu warned against vandalisation of equipment saying that it would not be tolerated adding, “Presently, from Dadin Kowa water is being pumped to upper and lower zone there is a lot of vandalisation going on people are taking the laws into their own hands trying to provide water for themselves and I don’t think that is proper. If you want water to be supplied to your neighbourhood or residence there is a channel you should follow, we have a state water board you have to open an account there and let the experts do what they are supposed to do. There’s no way you will tap water from the main line so we know the challenges we are facing in respect to that so in doing this project we will ensure that all these challenges will not come up.”
