TAWASCO Denies Prioritizing Water Vendors Amidst Scarcity In Jalingo

The Taraba State Water and Sewerage Corporation (TAWASCO) and Taraba State Agency for Water Sanitation, Service Regulations and Control have debunked rumours that they priorities  selling water meant for residents to water hawkers amidst water shortage in Jalingo.

 

Speaking during a stakeholders meeting which comprised representative of the Jalingo residents, leadership of Taraba State Water Hawkers Association among others, TAWASCO Managing Director, Engineer Musa Buba Siam said that they are fully aware of the water scarcity making things difficult especially to Jalingo residents. 

 

He further clarified that TAWASCO has a statutory responsibility to supply portable water to the residents of urban centres across Taraba State, stressing that with  the efforts put in place, TAWASCO was rated as the outstanding water facility not only in Taraba but in Nigeria at large.

 

"Over time, the management has been facing different challenges especially in this critical moment of issue of energy, aging infrastructure and expanding population that has place the utility not reach out to the demand of the people."

 

He added that, the water shortage would not be unconnected to the high cost of energy and vandalism of TCN power supply to the northeast which has crippled economic activities of the region and forced them to go for diesel which cost them millions of Naira daily to supply water to people.

 

Buba also stated that, their meeting with the leadership of water hawkers will soon bring succor to the people, and advice that people can go to their water selling points and get an affordable water.

 

In his part, the Executive Secretary of Taraba State Agency for Water Sanitation Service Regulations and Control Mr. Sylvester Pheela Godwin  said that, they are also aware of the present hardships faced by Jalingo residents and they try their possible best to bring an end to it that was the reason for engaging water vendors in a meeting.

 

In response, the chairman of the Taraba State Water Hawkers Association, Mr. Ahmed Musa said that, high demand of the water and due to the total blackout was what made price increased. Adding that, the attention of their members would be called as regards to price of water in Jalingo but the union did not collaborate with TAWASCO to increase price of water as alleged.