January 29, (THEWILL) – On Monday, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State commissioned the Buni Gari water treatment plant and flagged off the construction of the Buni Yadi/Damaturu flood and Erosion Control Project.
The Buni Gari dam has a 243 million litre capacity and a treatment plant with a daily capacity of 300,000 litres. It has an intake structure, pumping system, generator, and solar system.”
Buni said the water project was executed, to solve the age-long water scarcity in Buni Gari, Buni Yadi and other adjoining communities.
“I am pleased our government has fulfilled its campaign promise to construct the Buni Gari dam and water treatment plant to bring succour to the communities”, he said.
The Governor charged the benefitting communities to take ownership of the project “You should guard and protect the project for maximum utilisation”.
Flagging off the construction of the Buni Yadi/Damaturu flood and Erosion Control project, the governor said, “The project would curb the menace of floods and erosion and halt further destructions on the environment and the attendant consequences on agriculture in the community.
“ln fulfilment of our campaign promises to the people that government would find a lasting solution to the problem of flood and erosion in this community, the state government is injecting its resources into the construction of this project not only to mitigate flood and erosion but also to optimise the water harvested from the floods to boost irrigation for food security and economic prosperity.
“You are, therefore, enjoined to claim ownership of this project, cooperate with the contractors and protect it for maximum benefit to justify the government’s investment into the project”, the Governor added.
Buni also disbursed compensation to persons whose lands were collected for the construction of the project.
“I want to specially appreciate the resilience exhibited by the communities who have refused to be discouraged by the destructive impact of the floods and erosion to pursue their means of livelihood through agricultural practice”, he reiterated.
The Governor also launched the distribution of farm inputs including 500 bags of NPK fertiliser, 85 cartons of liquid fertiliser, 115 solar-powered irrigation pumps, 1,000 knapsack spraying machines, assorted improved seeds of 15 crops and vegetables, herbicides and pesticides to irrigation farmers.
“This further demonstrates the commitment of this administration to make agricultural practice attractive, productive and profitable to our farmers”, Buni said.
In a related development, Governor Buni commissioned a Water Quality Laboratory at the Ministry of Water Resources in Damaturu.
“This is to ensure that the quality of water supplied to the people is safe for consumption. The Laboratory provides a check to water-borne related diseases, making the State meet global Water and Sanitation laws.
“I would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that the government would continue to provide safe drinking water across the state to improve the health of our citizens”, he added.
