..Pledges To Construct New Roads To Link Gwaidamgari.
From Sadiq Abubakar, Maiduguri
Governor Babagama Umara Zulum of Borno state has commissioned N200 million water project facilities at Gwaidangari community and Shehuri North community all in Maiduguri city drilled and donated by Jack Rich Foundation.
He also pledged to construct a new road from Baga road to link the Gwaidangari community and new borehole while reassuring his determination to continue to provide basic infrastructural facilities and amenities to the people across the 27 LGAs of the state.
Zulum who stated this Thursday at the official commissioning ceremony of the water project Facility constructed by a philanthropist and River State born citizen based in USA as part of the foundation interventions and supports to the Vulnerables in the society, charged the Community leaders if Gwaidangari to ensure proper maintenance if the water project.
He also directed the State Ministry of Water Resources to produce a comprehensive list of water resources in all the 27 LGAs for proper execution of water facilities across the state which is part of the 10 point agenda of his government .
The govenror thanked the donor Engineer Jack Rich for his support and Intervention to the people of Borno state and other states if the federation even in the areas of education, health, roads , water supply and others.
He also thanked an Elder Statesman and former Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria (SFGN), Ambassador Babagama Kingibe for his concern and efforts in facilitating the drilling of the boreholes by the foundation while expressing his profound gratitude to Engineer Jack Rich for his Intervention and support.
” We shall continue to provide basic Facilities and amenities to the peoole like water resources as part of my 10 point agenda.
“Government is working untirelessly to improve water supply within the state capital . I thank Engineer Jack Rich for his Intervention. I charge the community leaders of Gwaidangari to maintain the facility.
“I call on the State Commissioner of Water Resources to produce a comprehensive list of water needs across the 27 LGAs. I Commend Engineer Jack Rich for his support and intervention to the Borno people and thank our own son and elder, His Excellency, Ambassador Babagama Kingibe for his concern. Our people will remained grateful to you all.
“Engineer Jack Rich is a Nigerian from River State and a petroleum chemistry graduate of University of Wales and a businessman, married with two children who has been supporting youths sending them abroad to study and supporting communities across the country in health, education and water resources among others..
“I would like to express my appreciation to Engineer Jack Rich for providing water facilities to the people of Borno state and thank Elder Statesman , Ambassador Babagama Kingibe for his concern and effort”, Zulum said.
In his welcome address, the Borno State Commissioner of Water Resources, Alhaji Tijani Goni’ said the water facility has one middle aquifer borehole with 280 meters deep and 15 HP Submersible pump powered by 15000 watts solar panels that has 200,000 liters overhead tank.
He said the water facility comprises of filtration room, filtering machines, perimeter fencing, generating set room with 28 batteries, mosque, 11 KVA electric transformer, offices and chemical control room which is if WHO standard for human consumption.
The Commissiioner further assured that the State Ministry of Water Resources will do everything possible to maintain the facility while thanking the donor for his Intervention and Govenror Zulum for commissioning the water facility for the people of Gwaidangari community.
He added that so far the Gwaidangari community water project cost N100 million and Shehuri North community
Earlier, Ambassador Babagama Kingibe disclosed that similar water facility was drilled and donated to Nigerian Army University Biu at the cost of N100 million while same water project will be constructed in Gubio town as secuirty situation improves by the foundation.
He added that so far the Gwaidangari community water project cost N100 million and Shehuri North community water facility cost same N100 million with a capacity to serve 300,000 people.
Kingibe noted also that the water project was also reticulated the old blocked water pipes of former State Govenror, Late Mohammed Goni’ Mother Cat boreholes in the areas, pointing out that, Engineer Jack Rich had drilled and donated water facilities in some states of the federation including Sokoto, Katsina, Kano and others apart from carrying educational support projects as a philanthropist among other Interventions across th country to complement governement efforts through his foundation to serve the people
The contractor of the Water Facility, Engineer Babangida Zango said the water project has main building comprising of offices, oberh ad tank, solar panels, reticulation room, treatment plant, , generating set room, mosque,others with 20 workers engaged to man the facility which he appealed to the state government to employ them maintain the facility.
He said the water facility has sustainability span of 25 years with reticulation of 2 kilometers and 24000 liters per day per 50 households while urging the state government to maintain the water facilities.
The Founder/President if Jack Rich Foundation, Engineer Jack Rich said he is an indigene of River State based in USA and has passion and determination as a businessman to serve the poor and empower the youths to become good leaders tomorrow back home Nigeria
He added that he was glad today to touch the lives of the poor and orphans like him wiho came from a poor background , fish community and was even sleeping in classrooms that had no roof but today he is being celebrated.
Engineer Jack Rich further called in the children and youths to respect their parents and leaders, stressing that, they should always have vision and believe in their vision and dreams.
He commended Govenror Zulum for his hardwork, commitment and determination to serve his people, noting that, he has been hearing and reading about him in the media both home and abroad while urging Borno people to rally round the govenror to serve them better as well pray for the governor.
Engineer Jack Rich thanked Ambassador Babagama Kingibe for inspiring him to come to Borno to support the people of Borno state while calling on wealthy individuals from the state to come home and empower their children to school and youths to have indigenous capacity to develop the state
Highlights of the ceremony include cutting of tapes by the govenror in company of Engineer Jack Rich, Ambassador Babagama Kingibe and other top government officials and dignitaries at Gwaidangari and Shehuri North communities in Maiduguri.
