Gombe secures AfDB loan to construct 661 boreholes across the 11 LGAs

In its resolve to tackle the scarcity of potable water among residents of the state, Gombe State Government has secured a loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to construct 661 solar-powered, motorised and hand borehole in the 11 Local Government Areas of the state.

To that effect, every necessary arrangement has been concluded for the commencement of the project very soon in line with the cardinal objectives of the Inuwa Yahaya led APC administration in the state.

The disclosure was made by General Manager of Gombe State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Abdurraqib Muhammad, while speaking to newsmen in Gombe, on Tuesday, on the progress of the program.

Abdurraqib Muhammad also said that the decision to embarked on the project was informed by the Needs Assessment conducted which revealed that the most immediate need of the communities across the state is water considering the hardship facing them while looking for a good water source.

The GM further said that the state Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, has expressed his determination to provide portable drinking water to the entire state because it is the most essential components of life and is vital for sustenance of every activity.

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According to him, apart from the boreholes, the Agency will also construct other basic amenities like Pit latrines, blocks of classrooms in schools, health facilities among other things to make life easy for the people.

He emphasised that the construction of the pit latrines is necessary in order to discourage open defecation practice which is common among the rural populace stressing further that, open defecation has a negative effect in public health and socio-economic development of the state.

The RUWASA GM then called on individuals to take the responsibility of enhancing their hygiene and overall health adding that government was determined to ensure the sustainability of water, sanitation and hygiene across the nook and crannies of the state.

Though he did not disclose the amount involved in the loan deal, he assured that it is a substantial amount which will be enough to undertake the project without any hitches adding that quality project will be delivered.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE