The Nigerian Navy has inaugurated a solar-powered water supply project at the Cottage Hospital, Pindiga, in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Arewa PUNCH gathered that the project aims at addressing the longstanding challenge of access to potable water in the community.
According to our correspondent, the project, comprising a five-horsepower solar-powered borehole, water storage tanks and toilets, was executed under the Chief of Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Projects initiative.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by Rear Admiral Adamu Yahaya, said the project demonstrated the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to civil-military cooperation and community development.
Speaking during the inauguration, Abass said, “The Nigerian Navy recognises that the security and prosperity of our nation are threatened when communities are empowered through meaningful development.
“This understanding continues to guide the Nigerian Navy’s civil-military cooperation efforts and the Chief of Naval Staff’s Special Intervention Quick Impact Projects, which seek to address critical community needs while fostering stronger bonds between the armed forces and the people we serve.
“Today’s event is another demonstration of that commitment. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the project being commissioned today is both timely and impactful.
“Potable water supply remains one of the most essential drivers of socio-economic development. It is safe for domestic use, supports education, stimulates commerce, enhances health benefits and creates opportunities for growth.”
He said the intervention would improve the quality of life of residents and contribute to the development of Pindiga.
Abass further noted that the geological composition of the area had made access to potable groundwater difficult, explaining that the project involved sourcing water from a location about one kilometre away from Pindiga.
He noted, “I am aware that the Pindiga community has not had clean drinking water for centuries due to the limestone mineral presence in the region.
“This is one of those miraculous projects that brought water from another village a kilometre away to Pindiga town. The effort and wisdom displayed by this amiable, very senior officer to bring water to his people deserves commendation,” he said.
The Navy boss urged residents to take ownership of the facility and ensure its maintenance for future generations.
“I, therefore, urge the beneficiaries of this initiative to protect and maintain this project to ensure its sustainability for future generations. That implies that the community people should take ownership of this project,” Abass added.
He also commended Rear Admiral Umar Faruk, the sponsor of the project, for identifying the water challenge and utilising the opportunity provided by the Chief of Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Projects to address it.
“His vision, dedication and commitment to community development are clearly reflected in the successful execution of this project. Through this notable initiative, he has demonstrated that leadership is most meaningful when it positively impacts the lives of others,” Abbas said.
While appreciating the Gombe State Government, the leadership of Pindiga, traditional rulers, community leaders, contractors and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful completion of the project, he assured that the Nigerian Navy would continue to support initiatives that promote peace, security, social cohesion and national development.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, Naval Engineering Services Limited and sponsor of the project, Rear Admiral Umar Faruk, described himself as a bona fide son of Pindiga.
Faruk said the project followed consultations with elders and community members on the most pressing needs of the area.
“It gives me great pleasure and immense joy to stand before you today on this auspicious occasion of the commissioning of the Chief of Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project in Pindiga Ward of Akko Local Government Area, my hometown.
“As you are aware, the project is an initiative of the Chief of Naval Staff to identify with their home communities by providing meaningful intervention projects that bring development and succour to their people. Such projects impact the lives of the inhabitants and create in them a sense of belonging, as they have not been forgotten,” he said.
According to Faruk, he initially considered rehabilitating schools in the community but later settled for the provision of water after consultations with elders.
He remarked, “Initially, I thought of renovating a school that my late father had constructed which was in need of rehabilitation. I also thought of rehabilitating another primary school in Mangaje Local Government community constructed by him.
“But after a deep consultation with some elders of the community, I was able to identify the critical need of the people, which was lack of water.”
Faruk explained that a geological survey showed that drilling for potable water within the immediate area was difficult because of the limestone formation.
“As a matter of fact, when we carried out the geological survey of this region, we discovered that the entire belt south of Jorund Gawa was a limestone area, and there was no success in terms of drilling boreholes or wells.
“Whatever well was drilled here either came out salty or with some form of salinity. A lot of other boreholes that were drilled here, after a while, failed because of that particular issue.”
He said the project team eventually identified a location across the river, about one kilometre from Pindiga, where a good aquifer could be accessed.
“That is why we decided to carry out a thorough survey, and we discovered that the only place we could get clean water was across the river, about a kilometre away from here.
“We went there, carried out the geological survey and discovered that we could hit a very good aquifer in that area. That is why we decided to sink a solar industrial borehole with a five-horsepower pump at that particular location,” he said.
Faruk, who also disclosed that the project team faced another challenge in conveying the water from the source to Pindiga because of a river separating the two communities, pointed out,
“There is a river that divides this community and that community, a very large river, and during the rainy season it gets filled up. Of course, you know how the current of a river is. Whatever you put there can also wash up.
“But we still went ahead with that challenge. We took those pipes and passed them through that river and created a very solid embankment,” he said.
He added that the team adopted additional measures to protect the water pipes from the force of the river during the rainy season.
The Emir of Pindiga, Alhaji Seyoji Ahmed, commended the Chief of Naval Staff and Faruk for addressing the community’s longstanding water challenge.
Ahmed, who also presented gifts to the Chief of Naval Staff, said residents had historically travelled long distances to obtain drinking water.
“We are grateful, of course, because we know how much difficulty this community has been having over the years.
“Since I was 10 years old, I can remember we had to go through all these trips to fetch some drinking water from the ponds or chakra. Getting water at that time was sometimes very difficult. We had to travel long distances to get water,” he said.
The traditional ruler attributed the difficulty to the geological formation of the area.
“Due to the geological setup of this community, right here where we are sitting is part of the area which, for those who have some knowledge of geology, consists mainly of limestone,” Ahmed said.
Also speaking, the Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Yahaya, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, Alhaji Shehu Abdullahi, praised Faruk for the intervention.
Yahaya said the state government and the people of Pindiga were proud of the initiative.
“My brother, you are one of our shining lights, and we are proud of you. Gombe State is proud of you.
“You can see the support of your community; that is the Pindiga Emirate and its parents, and of course the government side. You can see almost everybody is here. As far as I am concerned, you should be proud of yourself,” he said.
He urged Faruk to consider extending similar interventions to other communities in Gombe State.
“The reward for work is more work. The reward for hard work is more work. We are here to tell you that we are proud of you and to reward you by seeing us all here.
“So we are asking you to do more for this community and in Gombe State in particular. Please don’t relent in your effort; go and do the needful,” Yahaya said.
He further appealed to Faruk and the Nigerian Navy to consider additional interventions in water supply, education and other critical areas of development across the state.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
