Kano dispenses N1b on new water facilities, moves to end acute shortage

Determined to address the perennial acute water shortage in Kano, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has taken delivery of 10 heavy submersible water pump machines to restore pipe-borne supply.

The 160-kilowatt capacity pumps, procured alongside the starter panels at over N1 billion, are designed to discharge multiple 1,200 million cubic litres of water per hour.

Residents have battled acute water shortages for several years, with moribund equipment lying fallow and managing to discharge little above 150 million cubic litres per day.

While unveiling the new heavy machines at the Tamburawa water plant on Saturday, Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa, disclosed Governor Yusuf’s commitment to ending the water crisis in the state.

Doguwa revealed that after installing the machines procured from South Korea, the government would upscale supply to 450 million litres per day. He assured that frantic efforts were being made to gradually expand production to meet the daily water demand of about 750 million litres.

Doguwa lamented the level of vandalism and looting of water pipes and machines across the two main waterworks and sub-treatment plants before the present administration took over power.

Attributing the destruction of the water plants to the persistent water crisis in the city and suburbs, the Commissioner maintained that about 50 per cent of the water demand would be restored after the installation of the new machines.

He, however, expressed concern over the illegal tapping of treated water through connecting channels to farmlands and the failure of commercial customers to settle water bills. He insisted that the government would no longer tolerate any action inimical to the public interest.

“When we came on board, we met a serious level of vandalization across all the water plants, which resulted in an acute shortage of supply. Facilities were carted away; treatment plants were shut down intentionally for no reason, and pipes were uprooted and sold.

“You will weep to see the level of vandalization at a plant that supplies about 50 per cent of Kano’s water supply. We are now trying to rectify the challenge and restore water to Kano.

“By the time we complete the installation of these new machines, supply will reach as far as Jankara, Bela, and the entire city centre. The challenges in the water supply have persisted since 2011, and the previous government abandoned the facilities, leaving Kano without water—until this government came and revolutionized the system.

“Let me warn you that it is not going to be business as usual. To the staff of the water board and consumers, especially industries, they must pay their bills.

“Again, a stern warning must go to those tapping water and channelling it to farms—treated water worth millions of naira. Somebody will just channel it to farms while people are yearning for drinkable water. We are taking drastic action against the owners of these farms and will not hesitate to take over their farmlands,” Doguwa warned.