Re: Water scarcity hits Gashua town

Like, mentioned earlier, if one administration from memory deserves credit on the consistent supply of water in Bade Local Government considering the fact, that this is one area which governments at all levels have failed to tackle the problem throughout the country, the present council in Bade Local Government Area under the chairmanship of Alhaji […]

Like, mentioned earlier, if one administration from memory deserves credit on the consistent supply of water in Bade Local Government considering the fact, that this is one area which governments at all levels have failed to tackle the problem throughout the country, the present council in Bade Local Government Area under the chairmanship of Alhaji Mohammed Ago, should be commended for its successes in this sector. I must confess that I and many colleagues had voted for Mohammed Ago after his successful handling of the L.G.C for three months as a caretaker committee chairman. It was however, the first time in about a decade the tap in my house flowed. We thought then that the effort was a campaign gimmick to win votes. We were wrong.

Mohammed Ago’s return as chairman elect, Bade Local Government  Area, has seen a clear commitment, particularly in the provision of water where of the 64 boreholes in the area, most of them were not functioning and within two months, he provided six generator plants in different boreholes such as Lawan Musa, Maternity Clinic borehole as well as provided a big generator plant to Gashua Tanda Water Works and refurbished one of the boreholes. In addition, he reviewed the provision of diesel upwards where 38 urban boreholes now receive 300 liters of diesel each and those in the rural areas 200 liters, each contrary to the irregular 50 liters given to them by previous government.

It is sad that reporters often fail to investigate issues they want to report as well as understand the clear demarcation of the constitutional responsibilities of tiers of governments. Urban water supply is the statutory responsibility of the State Water Corporation where in Yobe State, about 5 Local Government Areas benefit from this scheme. They include Nguru, Potiskum, Geidam, Damaturu and Gashua towns. Unfortunately, Gashua town we were told, was excluded since 2007.

If only your reporter had done his job very well, we expect that he would be very precise in reporting that Gashua town experienced one week of water shortage contrary to the one month he reported, he would have further realized that the shortage was experienced in the last week of April when the Council had supposedly received its monthly allocation for disbursement and would have learned also that something was really wrong, especially when one considers that the council has been consistent in providing diesel, lubricants and overhauling of boreholes since it assumed office.

The delay arose from a demand made by some stakeholders in the local government, that all standing impresses including that of water supply, be reviewed downwardly which as we learnt, was resisted by the chairman, who had fears that action would cause serious water scarcity. Following the chairman’s firmness, his logic prevailed- the idea of reducing impress was laid to rest and within one week our boreholes started pumping water again.

While we appreciate journalists reporting issues that affect society it is only proper that they carryout proper investigation into the issue so that they avoid playing into the hands of people whose motive is to smear the image and name of leaders who still have the interest of the common man at heart, I am not in defence of Mohammed Ago but to be fair to him, the provision of water is one area we should be praising him, not dragging him in the mud also, your reporter ought to know that it is baseless to say the scarcity is caused by the absence of the Council Chairman who you claimed administer from the state capital. It is untrue and baseless. could it not be possible when he come to Gashua the chairman was on official engagement? Or will the water scarcity going by your analogy be more than the one month you claimed?  

Allah stands to judge whatever we do.

Musa I. Faraja Gashua is a resident of Lawan Fannami Ward, House No. SB311 Gashua