Katsina State Governor, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda is set to end water scarcity in the state through a giant stride he made by allocating the sum of N20 billion for an extensive water infrastructure project under the World Bank-funded “Nigeria Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation” (SURWASH) programme.
Addressing journalists in Katsina, the State Commissioner of Water Resources, Dr. Bashir Saulawa in conjunction with other state water boards executives, confirmed the state’s commitment to the project, stating that the government has already invested ₦5 billion towards its implementation.
“The procurement plan would cover 10 local governments of the state in 2024 with an intention to increase the coverage by 2025”, he said.
According to Abubakar Suleiman Abukur, the Executive Director of the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), the agency is targeting 110 communities across eight local government areas, including Charanchi, Batagarawa, Baure, Daura, Funtua, Malumfashi, Kafur, and Kankara.
“Forty solar-powered boreholes will be drilled in 40 communities, while another 50 communities will have hand pump boreholes,” he added.
Furthermore, at the Press conference, Dr. Tukur Hassan Tingilin, the Managing Director of the Katsina State Water Board, stated that a substantial portion of the funds will be committed to the general pipeline network in the major cities of Katsina, Daura, Dutsinma, and Malumfashi local governments.
“Twenty areas will be covered in Katsina, followed by 14 communities in Daura, 9 each in Malumfashi and Funtua, while Dutsinma will have 6 areas covered by the water project,” he explained.
Ibrahim Dankaba, the Executive Director of the Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, highlighted that his agency will build complete water schemes, including boreholes, 225 cubic meter water reservoirs, and public water stands across seven of the ten targeted local government areas.
Alhaji Imrana Tukur Nadabo, the Director of Waste Management and Pollution Control at the State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), added that his agency will construct toilets covering 10 healthcare facilities and primary schools in the local government areas of Katsina, Daura, and Funtua.
The state water executives team said, this comprehensive water infrastructure project, coupled with the involvement of local communities in the management and maintenance of the facilities are in line with Governor Dikko Umaru Radda commitment to ensuring sustainable access to clean water and improved sanitation for its residents.
Tribune Correspondent in Katsina said the former successive governments in the state have been making pledges to end water scarcity in the state, but the incumbent government has proved its intention as evidenced by the water projects that are being undertaken now across the state.
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