By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
In his efforts to address perennial water scarcity in the Taraba state, governor Darius Ishaku on recently flagged off a 5 million litre water reservoir project to in Jalingo, the state capital.
The Governor said, the move was to reposition the water and sanitation sector towards improving access to water and sanitation services in fulfillment of his administration’s blueprint for strategic development in the WASH sector.
He stated that the project was an indication of his government step forward from the mere rhetorics to taking practical steps in making water and sanitation services available to people of the state.
He said his administration has committed so much interest in water and sanitation and the recent World Bank survey on the pathetic state of water and sanitation services in Nigeria that spurred the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the sector in 2018, further made him to double his efforts so as to reverse the trend.
He added that the administration has succeed in putting to proper shape the water sector of the state for efficient water supply through collaboration with development partners such as USAID E-WASH, AfDB, JICA, UNICEF, World Bank, CSDP and others.
He said that the facility is part of gigantic Jalingo Primary Water scheme which is designed to meet up with the needs of the capital city for water for the next Thirty Five years.
” The site would be developed to be an attractive tourist center with a VIP and general restaurant”.
He said water treatment facilities have been purchased in large quantities to ensure regular supply of water.
He urged the water agency to ensure that every home is served with water and that those using the water should be able to pay their bills.
Earlier, the state commissioner for water resources Barr. Yusufu Akirikwen, said the project was targeted at increasing storage capacity for water supply to all residents of Jalingo adding that the construction of the reservoir and other related works would mark the last stage of the Jalingo primary water supply scheme that is fully funded by the state government despite of COVID -19 crisis on the economy.
He said that the state government have been assured by the contractors of the delivery of high quality job.
“Let me plead with Tarabans to support the efforts of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku to solve the water problem by owing the facility and protecting it”.
He said that with the passage of the WASH Law No 7 of 2019 and the WASH policy, it has create enabling environment for the engagement of the private sector and development partners for accelerated development of Infrastructure and provision of water and sanitation services in the state.
” The Ministry of Water Resources is determined to see to the full implementation of the law and policy in order to encourage the participation of all stakeholders in sector”.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary and Managing Director, Taraba State Water Supply Agency, Engr. Buba Siyam appreciated the steps taking by Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku towards solving water problem of the state, adding that the Jalingo water scheme would increase the supply of water in Jalingo metropolis from Eight to Twenty Eight million litres per day.
Nasarawa Reporters 