Following the near completion of the rehabilitation, expansion, and upgrade of the Gombe Regional Water Project, the residents have been urged to support the government by promptly paying their water rates.
Arewa PUNCH reported that in spite of the massive work embarked upon by the state government to ensure there is an adequate supply of potable and drinkable water for the residents, there has been an observed apathy by the people towards the project.
This apathy stems from the lukewarm attitude of the residents concerning the payment of the water rate, which the government says would help in the maintenance of its facilities.
Arewa PUNCH findings also reveal that a team comprising heads of agencies in the ministry, and contractors have visited the 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 the Women centre overhead tank.
Speaking on the development, Gombe State Commissioner for Water, Environment, and Forest Resources, Mohammed Fawu, pointed out that the almost completed project is expected to serve the underserved communities in the metropolis and environs.
Fawu who expressed satisfaction with the level of work insisted 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 the supply of water as it will go round the entire Gombe metropolis. The ministry is satisfied vis-a-vis the money that has been paid so far”, the Commissioner stated.
He assured Arewa PUNCH that the water supply will remain constant and disclosed the presence of three sources of power supply.
Explaining further, Fawu stressed, “At all the stations visited, there are provisions for three sources of power – we have the solar panels, there is the standby generator and the three have all also been connected to the power grid”.
While urging for prompt payment of water rate, the Commissioner educated that the rate was much cheaper when compared to daily expenses on water sourcing.
He advised, “To residents, they will hear that the government spent over N11 billion for the project but what I want Gombe indigenes to know is that government must have borrowed, or it came from its coffers, but whichever, they should ensure they promptly pay their water bill to the right people and ensure they issue them with the proper receipts because the payment of water bills will ensure the maintenance of the structures because they need to be maintained.
“It is an aspect we are looking at now. When you look at an average household that spends about N1000 to N2000 to source water every day, and when the government supplies water to you, paying for the water should not be a problem. We will enlighten them by highlighting all the benefits that are in this project”.
The commissioner while pleading with communities that have yet to get reticulation of pipelines, especially those around Wurogali, behind Investment Quarters, noted that, “The connection is still ongoing. It has not been concluded as I’m talking to you now. If you go to a particular neighbourhood you will not be able to lay pipes on every street but there are some major streets that 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 otherwise, you won’t get water.
They shouldn’t have the wrong insinuation. If there is anybody that resides around places where reticulation has taken place, they should know that water will get there”, he maintained.
On his part, the Project Manager, Jidadu Ventures, Engineer Abubakar Barambu, assured that the project would be completed by 2024, adding, “As you can see we have 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 the installation of electro-mechanical part of the project”, he clarified.
Opening up to Arewa PUNCH on the scope of work done so far, Barambu stressed, “It’s almost in every part of Gombe metropolis. We are meant to lay about 158 kilometres of pipelines and 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”, he assured.
A resident of Tumfure, Ruth Gayus commended the project, saying, “Water is life they say. To be honest, the fear of not having water in Tumfure can be something else. It is the most essential and yet scarce most times when we need it”.
She decried the previous situation where residents within her community relied on water vendors, saying, “Sometimes, you need connection to get water during the dry season, as the sellers can be funny. The higher the demand, the more they pay the hike in price. I’m happy about the development that’s if and when it truly materialises.”
Also, another Tumfure resident, Augustina Jonathan observed that “Water is everything. It will make life in the state, especially within the metropolis, truly comfortable for everyone”.
