Nasarawa Water Board GM Bags Prestigious 'Integrity Stewardship Award'

LAFIA – The General Manager of the Nasarawa State Water Board, Dr. Kana Ahmad Abubakar, has been honoured with the "Integrity Stewardship Award" by the Advocacy for Peace and Values Re-Orientation, a Non-Governmental Organisation.

Presenting the award in a colourful ceremony at the Board's Headquarters in Lafia, the Executive Director of the organisation, Mr. Abubakar Eyibo, described Dr. Abubakar as an indispensable instrument for social inclusion who upholds the tenets of transparency and accountability.

Mr. Eyibo stated that the award followed a rigorous monitoring and assessment process. "We have been tracking the activities of the Water Board, noting how the utility has been transformed and its staff aligned with global standards," he said. "Our verification of the board's integrity and its leadership made this recognition necessary."

He further linked Dr. Abubakar's performance to the leadership of Governor Abdullahi A. Sule, whom he praised as a man of integrity and patriotism who appoints qualified individuals to manage public offices.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Abubakar dedicated the award to Governor Sule, citing the Governor's determination to provide clean and sufficient drinking water to the people of Nasarawa State as the driving force behind the board's achievements.

He highlighted major government investments, including over One Billion Naira for the ongoing construction of a booster substation at Garaku. This project will complement the Mada Water Treatment Plant at Gudi, which was constructed in 1995. Dr. Abubakar also noted that Governor Sule approved One Hundred and Sixty Million Naira for the dredging of the Amba River to support the Lafia Water Works.

The General Manager further revealed that the state government is actively partnering with international donor agencies to attract foreign funding for water supply improvement. He announced that the African Development Bank has selected Nasarawa State as one of the six states in the federation for a comprehensive Master Plan on Water, Sanitation, and Investment.

Dr. Abubakar concluded by reiterating his commitment to the board's mission, thanking the governor for providing essential consumables and support, which have enabled the board to strive toward supplying water to the state's growing population