Ishaku flags off construction of 5m-litre water reservoir in Jalingo

Efforts by Taraba state government to provide uninterrupted water supply to Jalingo, the state capital and its environs, received a boost Thursday with the groundbreaking for the construction of a five million litre water storage facility.

The ceremony was performed by Governor Ishaku on Mount Jalingo. The facility is part of the gigantic Jalingo Primary Water Scheme which is designed to meet the needs of the capital city for water for the next 35 years.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Ishaku described the construction of the reservoir as a landmark project which would aggressively address the water problem in the state.

The site of the reservoir would be developed to be an attractive tourist centre with a VIP and general restaurant.

Ishaku said water treatment facilities had been purchased in large quantities to ensure regular supply of water.

He said water supply is also being commercialised, assuring that supply would be regular  and wastage curbed.

The governor said even with the commercialisation, the needs of the poor would be catered for.

He urged the water supply agency to ensure every home is serviced and advised those being serviced to endeavour to pay their water bills.

Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Water Resources, Yusufu Akirikwen said the construction of the reservoir and other related works would mark the last stage towards the completion of the Jalingo Primary Water Supply Scheme.

The commissioner said the state government had been sufficiently assured by the contractors of the delivery of high quality job.

He pleaded with people of the state to support government’s efforts to solve the problem of water supply by owning the facility and protect it.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director Taraba State Water Supply Agency, Musa Buba Siam, described the governor’s approach towards solving the water problem in the state as the most pragmatic since the state creation.

He said the Jalingo Primary Water Scheme would increase supply of water in Jalingo from 8 million litres to 28 million litres per day.

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