The Gombe State House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources and Environment and the state Ministry of Water Resources have inspected the ongoing expansion and upgrade of the Malam Inna Water Works in Gombe metropolis to assess the project’s progress and ensure timely delivery.
The inspection, conducted on Friday, was aimed at ensuring that the project met the required specifications and would be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
The project is part of the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s efforts to address persistent water shortages in Gombe metropolis and reduce the state’s dependence on the Dadinkowa Water Treatment Plant.
Speaking during the inspection, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Nasiru Adamu Degri, said the project would significantly improve access to potable water and ease the burden on residents when completed.
He said, “This project is part of the government’s deliberate efforts to address water challenges in Gombe metropolis. We want to ensure that residents have access to adequate and reliable potable water without depending solely on the Dadinkowa Water Treatment Plant.”
Degri explained that the expansion was designed to strengthen water distribution and extend coverage to more communities across the metropolis.
He disclosed that the facility would supply water to Behind GSU, Shamaki, Tudun Wada, Federal College of Education, Federal Low-Cost, Unguwan Sarki and Alkaira Jauro Abare through three overhead tanks with capacities of 500,000, one million and 500,000 litres, respectively.
According to him, “The project will serve several communities through three overhead tanks with capacities of 500,000 litres, one million litres and 500,000 litres. This will improve distribution and bring water closer to the people in the benefiting areas.”
The Commissioner said the government was committed to expanding water infrastructure to meet the growing population and increasing demand for potable water in the state capital.
The Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources and Environment, Musa Manaja Zambuk, expressed optimism that the contractor would complete the project on schedule.
He commended Jidadu Ventures Nigeria Limited, describing it as an indigenous company demonstrating commitment to quality and professional standards.
Zambuk said, “We are impressed with the level of commitment demonstrated by the contractor. Jidadu Ventures Nigeria Limited is an indigenous company, and it is encouraging to see local firms showing determination to deliver projects that meet the required standards.”
He added, “Our interest as a committee is to ensure that this project is executed according to specifications and completed within the stipulated timeframe. The people of Gombe deserve to enjoy the benefits of this investment.”
The lawmaker stressed that the oversight visit was part of the legislature’s responsibility to monitor government projects and ensure that public funds translated into tangible benefits for the people.
Also speaking, the Site Engineer of Jidadu Ventures Nigeria Limited, Abubakar Barambu, assured the inspection team that the facility would provide potable water to communities across Gombe metropolis upon completion.
He said, “We assure the committee and the Ministry of Water Resources that we are committed to delivering this project within the agreed timeframe. Our priority is to ensure that the facility meets the required specifications and provides potable water to the communities it is designed to serve.”
Barambu further assured residents that the company would maintain the required standards throughout the execution of the project.
The joint inspection highlighted the collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government in monitoring public infrastructure projects and ensuring accountability in the delivery of essential services.
