Kano state government, northwest Nigeria, has spent N5.6 billion to improve water supply within 11 months.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Bala Mohammed Gwagwaruwa said the fund was used for maintenance services in the existing Water Works across the state, particularly, the Challawa and Tamburawa Water Treatment Plants.
He decried the spate of abandoned projects inherited from the immediate past administration, noting that the current administration was committed to ensuring adequate water supply in the state.
“It is pertinent to say that way back before we took over the mantle of leadership, the situation at the water intakes was very pathetic and disheartening to the extent that only N0.3 water works at Challawa was partially functioning. No. 1 and 2 were not working.
“Additionally, the power situation at Challawa was also frustrating due to the fact that out of the 6 generating sets, only two were functioning. This seriously affected the water supply capacity of the Water Works,” he noted.
He said the bulk of the expenditure was used for maintenance services at the Challawa Water Works and Tamburawa Water Plant, pointing out that the Ministry also carried out comprehensive laying of pipes to meet the target of pumping over 350 million litres of water to Kano citizens before 2015.
He further noted that the projects carried out by the Ministry within the period under review include, rehabilitation of number six water intake, sand bagging of the coffer dam, procurement and installation of six KJI pumps to supply energy to two Water Works.
Apart from procuring generating sets to power the Water Works for adequate water supply to the state following the epileptic power supply by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the Commissioner said the Ministry also repaired pneumatic system for the rapid sand filters and activation of surge tanks for the high lift pumping station at the water plants.
According to him, the previous administration under the state Water Board generated N32 million monthly as revenue, “while within eight months of Kwankwaso’s administration, we are able to generate N82 million as revenue on monthly basis.”
He also stated that the Ministry absorbed about 1000 applicants as casual staff on the payroll of the Water Board, “and I must tell you that this has not only improved working ability in the Board but has also reduced unemployment.”
He urged the people of the state to endeavour to pay their water bills as at when due in order to complement the state government’s desire to ensure adequate and steady water supply to all the nooks and crannies of the state.
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Source: PM NEWS
