Gombe approves N11.8bn for water project •Suspends all private health institutions
The Gombe State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, yesterday approved N11,831,968,168,11 for the rehabilitation, upgrade and expansion of the Gombe regional water scheme.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Yahaya Mijinyawa, disclosed this to newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting held at the Exco Chamber of the Government House, Gombe.
He said the contract would involve the extension of services and construction of booster stations in Gombe Capital Special Development Zone, Tunfure and Tashan Adua along Bauchi as well as around the International Conference Centre.
He listed the contract also covered construction of a water mini scheme in Tabra, rehabilitation of old network structures, installation and laying of about 160 kilometres of distribution pipelines in Gombe metropolis and installation of 100 isolation valves and rehabilitation of the existing ones.
He said the contract would also cover rehabilitation and expansion of Wuro Juli water Scheme, installation of 2000 smart meters, 250 water buck meters, provision of spare parts, rehabilitation of existing offices and digitization and mapping of other services to enhance efficiency.
The commissioner explained that the approval of the contract was in fulfilment of Governor Yahaya’s campaign promise of providing uninterrupted water supply to the people of Gombe metropolis and its environs.
The council also awarded the contract for street cleaning and waste disposal at the cost of N98, 275,000.
The Commissioner FOR Energy Resources, Shehu Madugu, who also oversees the Ministry of Environment, said the award of the contract followed the expiration of the contract agreement between the state government and Inex cleaners.
He said due to the paucity of funds coupled with Governor Yahaya’s zero tolerance for exorbitant engagement, the ministry thought it wise to engage the services of two waste management companies at a much lower cost and expanded scope.
He said under the new regime, workers of Inex cleaners, who were retained, would get a higher pay as against what they were being paid by their former employer.
Also, the Commissioner of Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, told journalists that the council approved the suspension of all private health institutions in the state to ensure quality assurance.
He said the needless proliferation of privately health institutions in the state, without approval from relevant regulatory authorities, called to question, the veracity of certificates obtained in such institutions.
He said the state government would not fold its hands and watch the production of quacks in the name of health professionals, saying human life is precious.
He said a committee had been set up to interface with the institutions with a view to ascertaining their level of preparedness in training medical personnel.
The State Executive Council also celebrated the state’s contingent at the national science, technology and innovation EXPO held recently in Abuja where Gombe clinched the 3rd position in the states’ category.
The Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Aishatu Umar Maigari, said the feet would not have been achieved without the moral and financial support of Governor Yahaya for the encouragement of science and technology.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr Meshack Audu Lauco, who also oversees the Ministry of Information, said the awards of the contract, approvals and decisions by the council were carefully taken in the best interest of the state and for the socio-economic advancement of the people of the state.