The Gombe State Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barrister Benjamin Sati, says residents in the metropolis are migrating to suburban areas over water crisis.
Sati who made this disclosure in a press statement issued to PERISCOPE NIGERIA, on the commemoration of Worker’s Day, said access to potable water has been a major challenge.
Our correspondent reports that for over ten days Gombe State is yet to get steady supply owing to alleged windstorm that vandalised about four transmission line towers.
He said, “Today is International Labour Day otherwise known as Workers’ Day or May Day. This day is especially set aside to recognise our contributions as workers and press harder the demand for the rights of the workmen.
“Life is generally hard, solitary, poor and brutish. The government therefore needs to do more in making and implementing new policies amidst the economic hardship characterised by inflation, fuel and water scarcity, food and general insecurity.
“There has been migration by residents of Gombe Metropolitan to suburban areas where they could access potable water pending when the rain falls or the problem is ameliorated.”
While urging for urgent intervention to mitigate the hardship faced by residents, Sati added, “The government needs to implement increase in salaries and wages to bring it in tandem with the current economic realities.
“May I, on behalf of the Nigerian Bar Association (Gombe Branch) wish all workers in Gombe State and Nigeria at large a happy workers’ day celebration.
“God bless Gombe State!”
Meanwhile, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya through the Director-General Press Affairs Ismaila Misilli, directed the Ministry of Water, Environment and Forest Resources to end the current hardship faced by residents.
The statement partly read, ” You must fix this problem with immediate effect, I don’t want any delay. We are not ready to take any excuse. You must ensure production and pumping of water to the people latest by Wednesday.”
Yahaya also expressed concern over the hardships residents of Gombe are facing due to a power supply interruption caused by vandalism of some poles on the 330KV Jos-Gombe transmission line.
“Acting on the directive, the ministry mobilised its technical teams who are currently working tirelessly to replace the broken down electric poles and repair the power cables to ensure power supply to the water treatment plant at Dadinkowa.
“The Dadinkowa Water Supply Scheme produces approximately 35 million litres of water per day, costing the Gombe State Government N154 million monthly. The treatment plant relies solely on a dedicated power line by Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED) Plc for uninterrupted operation.
“Following combined efforts of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), JED and regional teams from Gombe and Bauchi, the powerline was partially restored sub-optimally with Gombe receiving only 5MW out of which the Tabra pump station receives 0.5MW for pumping water to upper and lower zones for subsequent distribution to communities and households within Gombe metropolis.
“However, following a strong, damaging windstorm on 25th April, 2024, up to 31 electric poles along the Dadinkowa dedicated powerline were damaged which consequentially halted the production, pumping and distribution of water from the treatment plant.
“The technical teams are expected to complete the restoration work on Tuesday 30th April, 2024 after which production, pumping and distribution is expected to resume immediately by Wednesday 1st May, 2024 with a resultant adequate supply of water to the people of Gombe metropolis and its environs.”
The statement disclosed that Gombe State Government, appreciates the peoples’ patience, “understanding and perseverance to the hardship being faced regarding acute water scarcity.
“The government also commends the confidence the public have on the government and the firm believe in its efforts to resolve the situation without further delay,” the statement added.
