Governor of Niger State, Muhammad Umaru Bago, has announced that water tankers are being deployed to provide portable drinking water to residents, particularly in Minna, the state capital, which has been hit by acute water shortages in recent months.

The governor made this disclosure during an interactive session with journalists at the Council Chamber of the Government House, Minna, over the weekend. He said the measure was necessary due to the hardships experienced by residents.

Bago attributed the water challenges to decayed infrastructure inherited from previous administrations, broken pipes, ongoing construction projects, and the growing population in the state capital, all of which have strained the water system.

He emphasized that his administration is taking steps to overhaul the water system to provide a lasting solution, while interim measures are being implemented to alleviate the shortage.
“We are very concerned about issues relating to potable drinking water. We inherited decades of neglected pipelines, most of which are broken and over 30 to 40 years old,” the governor said.
“I am reassuring all citizens of Niger State that we are doing everything possible to desilt the Togwai Dam, replace old pipes, expand the distribution network, and create more reservoirs so that everyone will have access to potable water,” he added.

In the interim, water tankers are being deployed across the nooks and crannies of Minna to distribute water, while the government collaborates with development partners to drill boreholes in communities.
“We know it is painful for residents now, but these actions will bring lasting solutions. We appeal to the people to exercise patience with the Niger State government during this process,” Bago said.

Speaking on the epileptic power supply in the state, the governor advised residents to consider alternative sources of electricity for daily use. He revealed that government facilities, including hospitals, schools, and the Government House, have been transitioned off the national grid to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

The governor also urged journalists to act as partners in progress and ambassadors of the state.
“I have refrained from responding to many media reports because they were distractions. I call on journalists to be partners in progress,” he concluded, commending them for their support during the period under review.