Gombe Governor Adopts Swift Measures To Address Water Crisis 

A statement by the government, signed by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House, Mr. Ismaila Uba Misilli, said the governor’s directive was born out of his deep concern for the basic needs and necessities of his people.

The statement said Governor Yahaya was committed to ensuring continuous and uninterrupted water supply to the people.

“You must fix this problem with immediate effect; I don’t want any delay. We are not ready to take any excuse. You must ensure production and pumping of water to the people latest by Wednesday,” the directive read in part.

The Governor also expressed concern over the hardship’s residents of Gombe State were facing due to the power supply interruption, which was caused by vandalism of some poles on the 330KV Jos-Gombe transmission line.

The statement said the ministry mobilized its technical teams, who were currently working tirelessly to replace the broken-down electric poles and repair the power cables to ensure the restoration of power supply to the water treatment plant in Dadinkowa.

It says the Dadinkowa Water Supply Scheme produces approximately 35 million litres of water per day, costing the Gombe State Government N154 million monthly, while the treatment plant relies solely on a dedicated power line by Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JED, Plc for uninterrupted operation.

Combined efforts of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, JED and regional teams from Gombe and Bauchi, the powerline was partially restored sub-optimally with Gombe receiving only 5MW.

Based on this, the Tabra pump station receives 0.5MW for pumping water to upper and lower zones for subsequent distribution to communities and households within Gombe metropolis.

However, following a strong, damaging windstorm on 25th April 2024, up to 31 electric poles along the Dadinkowa dedicated powerline were damaged, which consequentially halted the production, pumping and distribution of water from the treatment plant.

The technical teams are expected to complete the restoration work on Tuesday 30th April 2024 after which production, pumping and distribution is expected to resume immediately by Wednesday, May 1, 2024, with a resultant adequate supply of water to the people of Gombe metropolis and its environs.

The Gombe State Government, appreciates the peoples’ patience, understanding and perseverance to the hardship being faced regarding acute water scarcity.