The Federal Ministry of Agriculture has concluded training for 100 community representatives in Bauchi State on the operation and maintenance of water supply facilities constructed under the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH).
The 3 days training which attracted members of water sanitation and hygiene committees (WASHCOM) from Darazo, Dambam and itas-Gadau LGAs of Bauchi State was conducted by officials of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Technical experts from Bauchi State Rural Water Supply Agency (RUWASA).
In a message to the training session, the Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Sulaiman Adamu said that the FG has constructed, upgraded and rehabilitated 83 water supply facilities in Dambam, Darazo and Itas-Gadau LGAs to improve access to the water supply to about 90000 people.
He also said that under the partnership, the Bauchi State government would similarly construct, upgrade and rehabilitate 83 water supply facilities in Kirfi, Giade and Tafawa Balewa LGAs for the benefit of additional 90000 people.
Engineer Sulaiman Adamu who was represented by Engineer Mohammed Shuaibu Aikali of the Technical Support Services department, tasked the WASHCOMs to take full control of operation and management of water facilities as well as institute sustainable mechanism for fundraising that would help in addressing challenges that might arise.
Earlier, the spokesman of the Bauchi State Rural Water Supply Agency (RUWASA), Engineer Bala Baba Abdullahi expressed shock over the removal of tap heads of the solar-powered scheme in Darazo town, saying that community leaders must take the blame for this act of vandalism by children.
He also said that “Both state and federal government invest huge sums of money to put these facilities in place, but it is regrettable that under your watchful eyes, these facilities will be stolen or destroyed without you caring. You must make sure your community replaces the stolen tap heads urgently.”
In his remarks, Malam Abubakar Mohammed, chairman of WASHCOM in Wahu ward of Darazo LGA, thanked the federal government for its intervention in this era of cholera and COVID-19 pandemic but further requested the present administration to carry out a survey of other communities in need of such services.
He noted that “many communities still travel long distances like 3 kilos to access water for domestic use.”
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