The Yobe State governor Hon Mai Mala Buni has directed for the immediate increase of the monthly supply of diesel to government boreholes from 40,000 litres to 60,000 so as to improve water supply in Damaturu the state capital and environs.
Damaturu the Yobe State capital and its environs is suffering from water scarcity necessitated by the destruction of 330KV transmission line by some unknown vandals.
As a measure to ensure optimum result over the diesel supply, governor Buni also directed the Yobe State Water Corporation to involve communities in the distribution process across all public boreholes for better monitoring and usage.
The General Manager of Yobe State Water Corporation, Engr. Mahdi Baba Zarma has while responding on the issue, confirmed the increase of the diesel by the governor from 40,000 to 60,000 monthly geared towards tackling water scarcity in Damaturu and its environs.
Zarma stated that with the increase to 60,000 litres and involvement of the community in the distribution process there is improvement on the water supply compared to the situation before the directives.
“It is a known fact that the water scarcity was due to the destruction
of a critical 330KV electricity transmission line by unknown vandals. This left many of our boreholes that are hitherto working or connected to the national grid to be powered by a generating plant 100%.
“The truth of the matter is you cannot run a generating plant for 24 hours hence it was segmented into morning, afternoon and night depending on the area and is significantly impacting on access to clean water for the residents.
“Following the assessments and reviewing mode of operations of the public boreholes, His Excellency the Executive Governor of YOBE State Hon Mai Mala Buni directed for the immediate increase in the supply and distribution of diesel to all boreholes in Damaturu and its environs to ease the problem of water scarcity being faced.
“We have equally devised means of involving the benefiting communities in the distribution process where apart from the usual monitoring mechanism, people on their own follow what is happening to ensure optimum utilization of the diesel supplied.
“This is very important because it promotes ownership of not only the boreholes but also the diesels supplied across different government borehole sites.
“Furtheremore, His Excellency the Deputy Governor Hon Idi Barde Gubana and the Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Baba Malam Wali have constituted a committed as directed by His Excellency Hon Mai Mala Buni and they went round most of our boreholes without us knowing which one they will visit all in an efforts to address the water scarcity.
“Luckily all of the boreholes visited were functioning optimally and I can assure you that with the increase in the supply of diesel, it is certain the problem would be addressed,” the GM assured.
