By Abdullahi Lukman
The people of Gasua town and its neighbouring communities’in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe were in a cheerful mood last Tuesday when the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, commissioned a N5.7 billion water supply scheme constructed for them by the federal government.
At the ceremony, which took place at the Gashua Water Works in Filin Tanda, the minister said the initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to improve public health, support economic development, and reduce poverty by expanding access to potable water in underserved communities.
“This project is a strategic solution to the region’s long-standing water scarcity issues and recurrent outbreaks of waterborne diseases,” said Prof. Utsev.
“It underscores our commitment to providing safe water to communities in need and addressing critical health challenges.”
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The facility includes four solar-powered borehole water systems, one of which is located on a university campus, as well as a modern water treatment plant, elevated and surface storage tanks, electro-mechanical installations, and an extensive transmission and distribution network.
The Minister also emphasized the need for local stakeholders, including the Yobe State Water Board, to maintain the facility to ensure its long-term sustainability.
He called on community members to take responsibility for protecting the facility to guarantee its continued operation.
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, represented by Deputy Governor Idi Barde, thanked the federal government for its commitment to addressing the water crisis in northern Yobe.
He also pointed out that investigations are ongoing into a potential link between poor water quality and the rising cases of kidney-related illnesses in the area.
Former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, who attended the event, praised the administration for prioritizing access to clean water, stressing that the project was a direct response to the repeated outbreaks of waterborne diseases that have plagued the region.
