By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe
The Gombe South Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and Gombe Local Government Council have entered into a strategic partnership with the Gombe State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) to improve access to potable water and strengthen sanitation services across their communities.
The commitment was made when the Chairman of Gombe South LCDA, Hon. Auwal Jauro Bappi, alongside the Chairman of Gombe Local Government Council, Hon. Prof. Bappah Garkuwa, received a delegation from RUWASA led by its General Manager and Project Coordinator, Engr. Muhammad Ahmad Gibirimu, during a courtesy visit.
Speaking during the meeting, Bappi described access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation as fundamental to public health, environmental protection and sustainable socio-economic development.
He pledged the full cooperation of the LCDA with RUWASA in implementing ongoing and future Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes, assuring that his administration would provide the necessary support to ensure the success of the agency’s interventions.
The chairman commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his administration’s sustained investment in the water sector, saying the government’s commitment to expanding rural and urban water infrastructure was already improving the quality of life of residents across the state.
He stressed that the partnership with RUWASA would further strengthen efforts to provide safe and reliable water supply while promoting healthier and cleaner communities.
Earlier, the General Manager and Project Coordinator of RUWASA, Engr. Muhammad Ahmad Gibirimu, said the visit was part of the agency’s strategy to deepen collaboration with the newly established local councils in order to expand access to safe water and sanitation services.
He said RUWASA remained committed to implementing community-driven projects aimed at addressing water scarcity, improving hygiene practices and reducing water-related diseases across Gombe State.
Gibirimu urged the two councils to encourage community participation and ownership of water facilities to ensure their proper maintenance and long-term sustainability, noting that such collaboration would maximise the impact of government investments in the sector.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing confidence that the renewed partnership would accelerate the delivery of water and sanitation projects, improve public health outcomes and enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of residents of Gombe South LCDA and Gombe Local Government Area.
