Gombe Residents Suffer Acute Water Scarcity Amid Soaring Temperatures

The ancient city of Gombe State is grappling with severe water scarcity exacerbated by scorching heat waves, with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius.

Residents in communities such as Akko, Wuro Bogga, Garin Baraya, Malam Jamo, Gamadadi, Konkeje, Tongo, Lawanti, Jalingo, Dunomari, Boggage, and Marori are particularly affected.

In 2021, the federal government, through the Upper Benue River Basin Development Agency (UBRBDA), awarded a contract for the extension of water pipeline and reticulation at Shongo Sarkin Yaki in Gombe North Senatorial District.

However, the project was abandoned after the contractor was mobilized and heavy equipment moved to the site.

Similarly, the Dukku regional water supply project, which received over N500 million in funding in 2016, has failed to deliver water to the benefiting community despite consuming nearly N400 million.

This failure underscores the systemic challenges plaguing water infrastructure development in the region.

Residents like Mustafa Isa and Malam Yakubu Muhammad face immense hardships due to water scarcity, forcing them to spend exorbitant sums on purchasing water or undertake laborious journeys to distant sources.

The economic burden weighs heavily on already stretched communities.

Despite significant budget allocations for water projects by the Ibrahim Dankwambo government, including N3.7 billion in 2015 and N2.6 billion in the following year, Gombe State capital still faces acute water shortages.

The multibillion Gombe State water scheme, which pumps water from Dadin-Kowa dam to the state capital, has reportedly broken down due to a lack of maintenance funds.

Malam Idris Abubakar, representing affected communities, highlighted their plight, emphasizing the dire situation during Ramadan when finding clean water to break fasts becomes a challenge.

Mustafa Isa, a newly married man, expressed concern about the financial strain of buying water, especially during intense summer heat.

Abdul Adamu from Shongo Sarkin Yaki community in Kwami local government area travels 40 minutes on foot to fetch water from the nearest pond, while Malam Yakubu Muhammad in Dukku faces a constant battle to find water, often relying on contaminated sources.

Efforts to reach Gombe State Commissioner for Water, Environment, and Forest Resources, Mohammed Faw, were unsuccessful.

However, a ministry staff blamed residents’ refusal to pay water bills for the situation, emphasizing the government’s need for funds to maintain equipment.

The government is reportedly making efforts to complete the ongoing Gombe Regional Water Supply Scheme Project.