FG inaugurates N5.74bn Lifeline to Yobe: Gashua Water Project Ends 20 Years of Scarcity
By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu
In a major leap toward improving access to clean water in Yobe State, the federal government has inaugurated the N5.74 billion Gashua Regional Water Supply Project to serve over one million residents of Bade Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
Commissioned on Wednesday on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, described the project as a “landmark intervention” to end more than two decades of water scarcity in the region.
“Today’s commissioning of the Gashua water supply scheme is a testament to this administration’s commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians,” Prof. Utsev said.
“With a daily output capacity of 3,200 million litres, the facility will cater to households, institutions, and local markets.”
He said that the project aligns with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising that clean and safe water is a cornerstone of public health, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.
The new water scheme features four solar-powered boreholes, including one situated at the Federal University of Gashua. It also includes a modern water treatment plant, surface and overhead storage tanks, and an electromechanical distribution network.
“This isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about changing lives,” Utsev added as he handed over the project to Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by his deputy, Idi Barde Gubana.
Gubana lauded the federal government’s intervention, describing it as a relief for the people of Yobe North, who have long battled water shortages across 10 local government areas.
“Access to potable water is not just essential it is foundational to any thriving society,” he noted. “We are grateful for this investment, which will enhance not only health and sanitation but also support economic activities in the region.”
The deputy governor also disclosed that the state government is currently conducting research into a potential link between water quality and the high incidence of kidney-related illnesses in the Bade axis.
In addition to the Gashua scheme, Prof. Utsev revealed that several other water projects are underway across the state, including those in Damaturu (Lots A & B), Nguru, Fika/Gadaka, and Potiskum.
The Gashua project marks a critical milestone in Yobe’s water infrastructure journey, promising not just relief from scarcity but a foundation for healthier and more prosperous communities.
