In line with Federal Government’s requirement of presenting Environmental and Impact Assessment to communities where capital intensive projects are to be sited, the Bauchi State Water and Sewerage Corporation (BSWSC) has subjected, to the public, the findings on Environmental and Social Impact Assessment on the proposed Gubi Dam Rehabilitation project.
Giving an overview of the findings to representatives of the host communities and other stakeholders , the representatives of the consulting firm, JV HWPC/ HANSOM, Professor Mohammad Mam’mam Alhassan of University of Abuja informed the gathering that the main objective of the consultative forum was to engage host communities of the project site and to, “ present to you and other stakeholders our findings and also hear from you if there are other emerging issues that were not captured in the report before the commencement of the project”.
The consultant also said the Federal Government had granted permission for the assessment to carried out and that since 2017 the exercise has been ongoing.
“Today’s engagement with you is the last lap of Impact Assessment exercise that can afford us the opportunity to know if there are other emerging issues that we have missed. It is inline with FGs policies of allaying any concerns that host communities on project site might be harbouring, so that it could be addressed”, the consultant said.
Earlier in an opening remark, Managing Director of the BSWSC Engineer Aminu Aliyu Gital appeal to the host communities of Gubi Dam to accord all necessary support and cooperation for the success of the Rehabilitation project in their communities.
Represented by a Director in Corporation Mohammad Dubagari Bello, the MD also commended the consultants for painstakingly taking their time to carry all stakeholders along in the course of carrying out the assessment exercise.
“This is an opportunity for you, host communities of Gubi Dam and other stakeholders to voice out your concerns so that it could be addressed”.
On their part, most of representatives of the communities at consultative forum agreed that the rehabilitation project of the Gubi Dam is a welcome development that must be accorded all necessary support and cooperation. They also seek for special consideration for recruitment of their youth at commencement of project.
The Gubi Dam rehabilitation project is being implemented under the World Bank Assisted Third National Urban Water Supply Reform Project.
The consultative forum attracted stakeholders from host communities, relevant Federal/State MDAs, Professional Associations and CSOs.
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