By JIDAUNA DARING
THE Plateau State Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Bashir Lawandi Datti, has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing safe drinking water to hard-to-reach communities across the state.
Datti made this known during the pilot flag-off of the construction of a motorised solar-powered water treatment and supply system in Mado, Tudun Wada, Jos North Local Government Area.
He urged beneficiary communities to take ownership of the project in order to protect it from vandalisation.
The commissioner disclosed that the scheme would be replicated in other hard-to-reach communities within Jos and Bukuru city centre.
According to him, the initiative was designed to accelerate access to potable water for the rapidly growing population of the state capital and its environs.
He added that the project would also reduce the hardship experienced by residents during dry seasons when water scarcity becomes severe.
“We believe that this project, if completed, will reduce the need for people to go out in the night in search of water,” Datti stressed.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Water Resources and Energy, Mr Lohnan Gambo, affirmed that it was the mandate of the ministry to provide potable water to citizens.
He further noted that clean water remained one of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s top priorities in the water sector.
Technical Adviser to Governor Mutfwang on Water, Dr Jurbe Godep, explained that the ceremony was meant to hand over the project to the contractor, Verde Environmental Nigeria Limited (VEN), for immediate commencement of work in Mado community.
Jurbe appealed to the host community to give the necessary support and cooperation to the contractor in order to ensure the project’s success.
He further emphasised the importance of working strictly according to contract specifications to avoid substandard results.
Managing Director of Verde Environmental Nigeria Limited, Mr Paul Van Den Bergh, expressed gratitude to the Plateau State Government for awarding the contract to his company.
He promised that the company would deploy its expertise to deliver quality work that would stand the test of time, stressing that “water is life.”
Stakeholders present at the flag-off ceremony expressed joy and gratitude to Governor Mutfwang for alleviating the plight of Mado community, which has suffered decades of acute water shortage.
They revealed that due to the scarcity, residents had long been forced to share water sources with wild animals.
The stakeholders pledged to take ownership of the project and assured the contractor of their readiness to provide full cooperation.
In his vote of thanks, General Manager of the Plateau State Municipal Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (PLAMWASSA), Jacob Jelkeyes Dakat, explained that the project was fully funded by the Plateau State Government.