Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, issued Executive Order O02 of 2023 on Monday, establishing the Gombe State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (STWSSA).
This is pursuant to the authority vested in him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and all other powers enabling him on that behalf.
It is also a step towards achieving sustainable water supply and improved sanitation facilities across Gombe State in line with national and international initiatives for holistic development.
The Executive Order outlines a comprehensive framework to revolutionise water supply and sanitation across urban and rural areas in Gombe State.
Inuwa Yahaya, citing the pressing need for improved water access, pointed out the commitment of Gombe State to promoting healthy living and sustainable economic growth through this initiative.
Under the newly established STWSSA, the agency’s mandates are multifaceted, as it is mandated to oversee various critical aspects related to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in all small towns across the state.
The mandate of the agency also includes managing and controlling water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in small towns, as well as planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining them.
Also, it is expected to focus on public enlightenment, training, research, and sustainable management of sanitation infrastructure, as well as coordinating inter-governmental and non-governmental linkages for effective implementation.
The Governor emphasised the importance of community participation, indicating that ownership of schemes would gradually transition to benefiting communities through Water Consumer Associations (WCA) to encourage sustainability and local engagement.
Furthermore, the Executive Order upgrades local government water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) units to full-fledged departments within their respective local government councils.
These departments will spearhead project planning, support community-based committees, provide technical assistance, and facilitate improved water supply and sanitation services in local communities.
The Governor reiterated the immediate effect of this Executive Order, with provisions allowing for future revisions or modifications to align with evolving needs and circumstances.
The composition of the board for the agency will be announced in due course after consultations with relevant stakeholders, as contained in a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe.
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