Gombe State Government has set up a task force to checkmate the unauthorized water connections on the Dadinkowa water main line which serves as a vital artery supplying water from the treatment plant to major reservoirs for distribution across Gombe metropolis and surrounding areas.
The task force has been charged with the responsibility of identifying and dismantling such illegal connections.
To this end, the government has issued a stern warning to those involved in such act, as the task force will begin disconnecting all unauthorized connections starting tomorrow, Saturday. This measure will be ongoing to ensure strict monitoring of the pipes.
The Commissioner of Water, Environment and Forest Resources, Mohammed Sa’idu Fawu, disclosed this during a press conference in his office on Friday following complaints received by his ministry and the State Water Board on the declining supply of water to communities in Gombe which prompted investigation that resulted in the discovery of numerous illegal connections on the main pipes.
Fawu clarified that after receiving complaints from multiple households, his ministry observed insufficient water pressure from the treatment plant to the reservoirs, particularly those at higher elevations which he attributed to illegal connections by block industries, farms, car washes, and communities along the Kwadon, Liji, and Gombe bypass axis.
“Over the past few weeks, we’ve received numerous complaints about reduced water supply to communities in Gombe. This prompted an investigation which revealed numerous illegal connections on the main pipes supplying water from the Dadinkowa treatment plant to our reservoirs in Gombe. These illegal connections have reduced the water pressure needed to adequately fill the reservoirs for distribution to communities”, he said.
“We view these illegal connections as an attempt to undermine Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s efforts to address water scarcity in the state. We are taking a firm stance against this behavior and will not hesitate to take action against anyone involved. A task force, as directed by the Governor, has been established, and we will begin disconnecting illegal connections starting tomorrow, Saturday. This proactive measure will be ongoing to ensure strict monitoring of the pipes”, he added.
He emphasized that moving forward, individuals caught engaging in this illegal activity will be handed over to the relevant authorities for appropriate sanctions.
He highlighted that these actions are not taken without the involvement of Water Board and CGC Company staff, emphasizing that anyone found involved will face legal consequences, including potential termination of employment, for undermining government initiatives aimed at alleviating water scarcity.
The Commissioner also revealed the government’s intention to install water meters in homes and businesses registered with the State Water Board, saying 15,000 meters would be acquired in 2024 for the pilot program.
Discussing the sustainability strategy for water supply in Gombe metropolis and surrounding areas, the Commissioner highlighted the Gombe Regional Water Expansion Project which is at an advanced stage of completion as an initiative aimed at complimenting the water from the Dadinkowa treatment plant with two additional sources from Wuro Juli and Tabra stations.
He further revealed that the Gombe state government is currently working with the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to secure assistance in implementing modern, energy-efficient water treatment facilities at the Dadinkowa.
The collaboration, according to the Commissioner, aimed at enhancing the water treatment capacity from the initial 50 million liters per day, originally designed to serve 250 thousand people, to approximately 100 million liters to align with the population growth of Gombe and ensure sustainability.
The Commissioner also took the opportunity to announce Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration’s plans to revive the water project initiated by the previous administration for the Akko, Lawanti to the International Airport area, emphasizing that this project has been included in the ministry’s 2024 work plan.
While interacting with journalists, Engr. Abubakar Sadiq Muhammad, the General Manager of the Gombe State Water Board, emphasized the importance of the state government implementing measures to address illegal connections, highlighting the substantial investment by the government to ensure adequate water supply for Gombe residents which he said must not be allowed to go without yielding the desired outcome.
He further stated that Governor Inuwa Yahaya has instructed the revitalization of the Malam Inna Water Supply Scheme to enhance the existing efforts of the Gombe Regional Water Expansion Project and water supply from the Dadinkowa treatment plant which reflects renewed commitment to tackle the enduring challenge of water scarcity in the state.
