April 24, (THEWILL) – Kano State Government has said it is working tirelessly to address the current water scarcity in Kano City and its environs.
The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kano on Wednesday.
“We are working tirelessly to fix the prevailing water scarcity in the state capital and its environs, and the problem will soon be over”, Makoda said.
He blamed the challenge on absolute equipment, especially at the Tamburawa Water Treatment Plant which supplies water to most parts of Kano metropolis.
He said the current high temperature being experienced in the area is also to blame for the water shortage, as people consume higher volumes of water to cope with the weather.
According to him, the State Government inherited the decay in the water sector from the previous administration which did not give the necessary attention to portable water supply.
During the tenure of the last administration, the commissioner said, only 20 percent of the state’s water needs were supplied, which he said was grossly inadequate.
“But on the assumption of office, our administration has been able to supply more than 60 percent of the water needs of our people,” he said.
He disclosed that the State Government spends N1.2 billion monthly to improve the water supply in the area.
Such expenses, Makoda said, include the purchase of diesel for N400 million, as well as N387 million on the procurement of chemicals and settlement of electricity bills to the tune of N280 million monthly.
He also revealed that the Government had entered into a collaborative agreement with the French Government to spend 63.4 million Euros for the Construction of the third Kano Water Treatment Plant.
“We are deeply committed to ensuring that there is enough drinking water in Kano, which is why the Government of Abba Kabir Yusuf is doing all it can, including committing enormous resources, to provide enough portable drinking water in and around the ancient city”, the commissioner added.
About the Author
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
