- President commissions World Bank assisted water projects
Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Mohammed has said that he will not contest any political position if President Muhammadu Buhari or his predecessor Goodluck Jonathan are contesting.
Mohammed is one of the presidential aspirants seeking to clinch the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 general elections.
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Governor Bala stated this today in Bauchi when President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the multi-billion naira World Bank Assisted upgraded Bauchi Urban Water Project.
The project which gulped N23bn is a joint project implemented by the World Bank and the Bauchi State Government.
He said he will not contest the seat they are contesting as a mark of respect because of he holds them in high esteem.
Governor Mohammed said he inherited decayed infrastructure when he assumed office and resolved to lift the people of Bauchi State out of the wood.
He commended the president for several Federal Government projects domiciled in the state which gave the state a sense of belonging among states in Nigeria.
He also commended the World Bank for the project and the understanding it exhibited during the course of its implementation.
“In our avowed determination to ensure continuity and dynamism in governance, we flagged off the various construction activities under the Project, which hitherto had been dormant due to lack of political will.
“Another issue that we had to contend with was the lull in the execution of the Project due to the late commencement of the procurement process and the eventual impact of COVID-19 which all negatively impacted the World Bank timelines on the project.
“The World Bank gave an extension of six months at the first instance and later gave additional three months. This made it possible to complete the project which is being commissioned today,” he said.
The project, which was started in 2019, has the capacity to fend for the water needs of the residents of the Bauchi metropolis for the next 20 years.
The project saw the rehabilitation of Gubi Dam and its appurtenances, expansion of the Gubi Dam Water Treatment Plant from its former capacity of 45million litres to 75million litres; the replacement of the 800-millimetre diameter old and leaking steel material pumping mains with 1000 millimetre diameter ductile iron pipe from Gubi Dam to Warinje and Buzaye Reservoirs; the construction of 7 million litres capacity Concrete Reservoir on Buzaye Hill and rehabilitation of the 2 x 11 million litres concrete reservoir on Warinje Hills; the replacement and extension of 210 km of pipelines within the city centre and new layout and installation of meters; the procurement and 10,000 domestic among others. meters bulk installation for sustainability.
Performing the official commissioning of the project at the Gubi Dam Water Treatment Plant, the president said his administration attached great priority to the provision of water to Nigerian communities to safeguard their health.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of Federation Boss Mustapha, President Buhari said over the past few years, the Federal Government gave more priority to upgrading the infrastructure base of the country to harness development and improve the living condition of the people of the country.
He said the health and water sectors received greater attention from his administration out of his appreciation that they are crucial and critical at guaranteeing and safeguarding the health of Nigerians.
The president explained that his decision to declare a state of emergency in the water and sanitation sector is gradually yielding positive results to Nigerians.
He commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his dedication and commitment to providing infrastructure to the people of Bauchi State.
Representative of President Buhari had earlier visited the emir of Bauchi palace.
