The Federal Government has commissioned the over ₦5.7 billion Gashua Water Supply Scheme in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State, marking a major milestone in efforts to tackle water scarcity in the region.
The project, completed at a revised cost of ₦5,735,046,416.75, was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, at the Gashua Water Works, Filin Tanda.
Prof. Utsev described the scheme as a transformative intervention aimed at addressing long-standing water supply challenges in Gashua and neighboring communities, with the capacity to serve over one million residents with safe and potable water.
According to the Minister, the scheme boasts a production capacity of 3,200 million litres per day and includes key components such as:
Four solar-powered borehole-based water systems (one within a university campus),
A modern water treatment plant,
Surface and elevated storage tanks,
Electro-mechanical and power systems,
An extensive transmission and distribution network.
The Minister emphasized that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes access to clean water as a cornerstone of public health, poverty reduction, and national development.
Speaking through a statement signed by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Utsev formally handed over the facility to the Yobe State Government, calling for inclusive stakeholder engagement and urging the Yobe State Water Board to manage the infrastructure sustainably.
He also acknowledged other federal water projects ongoing in the state, including:
Damaturu Lots A & B Water Supply Projects,
Nguru Water Supply Project,
Fika/Gadaka Water Supply Project, and
Potiskum Water Supply Project.
In his remarks, Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by Deputy Governor Idi Barde Gubana, expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Government. He underscored the importance of clean water for health and economic development, and referenced ongoing research into the potential link between water quality and kidney-related illnesses in Northern Yobe.
Former Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, who hails from the region, said the scheme was initiated in response to repeated outbreaks of waterborne diseases in Gashua caused by contaminated water. He praised President Tinubu and Minister Utsev for their commitment to expanding access to clean water.
Also speaking, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, congratulated the people of Yobe and encouraged the community to take ownership of the facility to ensure its longevity.
The ceremony concluded with the formal signing of handover documents and the official commissioning of the Gashua Water Scheme, a key step in the Federal Government’s mission to achieve universal access to clean and safe water across Nigeria.
