As part of its renewed commitment to improve health outcomes and provide sustainable access to potable water, the Plateau State Government has commenced the construction of a solar motorized water pump at Mado community, Tudun Wada, Jos North LGA, as a pilot scheme of its decentralized water supply program.
The pilot scheme, fully funded by the Plateau State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, is expected to be replicated across other hard-to-reach communities within the Jos–Bukuru metropolis. The initiative aims to address water scarcity and accelerate access to safe drinking water for the state’s rapidly growing population.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his Technical Adviser on Water Management, Dr. Jurbe Godep, said the project became imperative considering the plight of residents in underserved areas, particularly during dry seasons. He assured that other communities in Jos and Bukuru would soon benefit from similar interventions. He urged the people of Mado community to take ownership of the facility, stressing that its sustainability depends on their commitment to protect and maintain it.
Earlier in his welcome address, Lohnan Gambo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Energy, commended the state government for prioritizing citizens’ welfare and praised the cooperation of Mado residents for supporting government initiatives.
Also speaking, Ambrose Gurumwan, Chairman of Mado community, and Agwom Peter Nyam, District Head, expressed gratitude to the government for selecting their community as the pioneer beneficiary of the scheme. They pledged loyalty and support to government policies, assuring that the community would safeguard the project as their own.
On his part, the Managing Director of Verden Environmental Ltd, Paul Van Den Bergh, the contractor handling the project, assured the government and the community of a durable, high-quality facility designed to meet global standards of safe water supply.
Flagging off the project, the Hon. Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Bashir Lawandi Datti, reaffirmed government’s determination to provide essential facilities that guarantee citizens’ health, security, and livelihoods.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the General Manager of PLAMWASSA, Jelkyes Jacob Dakat, appreciated all stakeholders for their support and prayed that the project would fulfill its purpose of easing the water burden of the people.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Plateau Municipal Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (PLAMWASSA) and Verde Environmental Ltd, with modalities already being worked out for financing future scale-ups in other water-stressed communities. The effort also aligns with the State’s SURWASH program designed to deliver sustainable potable water services to Plateau citizens.
The ceremony was attended by top government functionaries, including the Special Adviser on Sustainable Development and Carbon Credit, Nuhu Chayi Yakubu, the State Project Coordinator of SURWASH, Engr. Jonathan Malann, Assistant General Managers of PLAMWASSA, Directors of the Ministry, and other stakeholders.
