4 BSUWSC Staff  Die in Gubi Dam Accident During Routine Maintenance

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Bauchi State Urban Water and Sewerage Corporation (BSUWSC) is reeling from the devastating loss of four dedicated staff members who perished during routine maintenance at the Gubi Dam Water Treatment Plant on Sunday, April 20, 2025.

Gubi Dam, Bauchi State

The incident has cast a spotlight on the glaring absence of adequate safety measures, raising urgent questions about worker protection in the state’s critical water infrastructure.

The deceased, identified as Shayibu Hamza, 48, Abdulmalik Yahya, 29, Jamilu Inusa, 29, and Ibrahim Musa, 42—all residents of Firo village in Ganjuwa Local Government Area—lost their lives in what authorities have described as a preventable tragedy.

They were heroes who dedicated their lives to ensuring clean water for our communities

Their deaths have left families shattered and colleagues mourning the loss of skilled professionals who were vital to the state’s urban water supply system.

In a somber condolence message issued on Monday, BSUWSC Board Chairman Alhaji Yayanuwa Zainabari called the incident a “profound tragedy” with far-reaching implications for both the bereaved families and the state’s water sector.

BSUWSC Board Chairman, Alhaji Yayanuwa Zainabari addressing journalists 

“These were not just employees; they were heroes who dedicated their lives to ensuring clean water for our communities,” Zainabari said. “Their contributions will forever be etched in the history of Bauchi State.”

The chairman’s statement, while heartfelt, stopped short of detailing the circumstances that led to the fatalities. Preliminary reports suggest that the workers were engaged in a high-risk operation without sufficient protective equipment or safety protocols in place—a glaring oversight that has sparked outrage among staff and residents alike.

“We are devastated by this incident,” Zainabari admitted, pledging full support to the grieving families and vowing to honor the fallen workers’ legacies.

Plans are underway to review and strengthen safety protocols

The tragedy has exposed vulnerabilities in the Corporation’s safety framework, with insiders alleging that inadequate training and a lack of essential gear, such as harnesses, respirators, and emergency response tools, may have contributed to the disaster.

“Plans are underway to review and strengthen safety protocols,” Zainabari assured, though many are questioning why such measures were not already in place.

The four men, described as diligent and committed, leave behind a void in both their families and the BSUWSC workforce.

We cannot bring them back, but we can ensure their deaths were not in vain

Zainabari urged staff to uphold their values while emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance moving forward. “We cannot bring them back, but we can ensure their deaths were not in vain,” he said.

As investigations into the incident begin, the Corporation faces mounting pressure to deliver answers—and action. “May the Almighty grant the deceased eternal rest and their families the strength to endure this irreplaceable loss,” Zainabari concluded, his words echoing through a community now demanding accountability alongside mourning.

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