by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
As Governor Uba Sani administration makes frantic efforts to boost supply of water system in the State, leakages of water on the streets in communities have multiplied.
Our Correspondent, who went round the town, reported that many areas worse hit includes Ungwan Boro ECWA Hausa area streets and environs and other streets in Sabon Tasha, Chikun LGA area of the state.
These areas are deeply affected with pipe-borne water flowing all over streets, while residents lack basic water supply into their compounds for drinking for a long time due to the leakages and waste.
Findings revealed that bursted rotten water supply pipes cited across Kaduna State community streets could be responsible as a result of lack of maintenance culture, coupled with reconstruction carried out on some of the urban rural roads in recent time.
Recent report had it that Governor Uba Sani’s massive investment in the water sector has started yielding positive results, as there has been an unprecedented increase in water supply in Kaduna State in the last one month.
Commissioner of Public Works and Infrastructure, Arc Ibrahim Hamza, recently stated that Governor Uba Sani has invested massively in the water sector, adding that the investment has started yielding positive results, alleging unprecedented increase in water supply in Kaduna State in the last one month.
Mr. Hamza, who disclosed this, also promised that water supply will be further boosted when the Makera Water Treatment Plant is rehabilitated, according to a press statement issued by Ibraheem Musa, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, last Sunday.
The statement added that the Commissioner highlighted that areas like Tudun Wada, Malali, Ungwan Dosa and Doka ward, as well as Ungwan Rimi, Barnawa and Narayi, have witnessed increased water supply since December.
“The Malali Water Works, which has been rehabilitated to optimum capacity, has greatly improved water supply in Kaduna metropolis. The supply will improve when the Makera Plant is fully working.
“Areas that had not been getting water supply in the last seven years, now have water gushing out from their taps, courtesy of the Kaduna State Water Corporation (KADSWAC),” he added.
Arc Ibrahim Hamza disclosed that both the 150 MLD and 10 MLD Zaria Water Works are fully working, adding, “and the residents have also been enjoying steady water supply.”
The Commissioner also said that, “Major repairs have been made at the Kafanchan Water Treatment Plant, and there is water in the town and surrounding local government areas.”
He promised that, “Boreholes will be rendered redundant when the entire water treatment plants across the state are up-and-running, because residents will have no use for them.”
Arc Ibrahim Hamza commended the governor for declaring a state-of-emergency in the water sector in 2023, which resulted in massive investment, clearing of salary arrears and recruitment of a versatile Managing Director for KADSWAC.
He said that Governor Uba Sani plans to spend N93 billion in four years, for the rehabilitation of the water sector in four tranches, in order to wholistically address the neglect of the past 11 years.
“First, he paid all outstanding salaries and wages of KADSWAC staff, amounting to N800 million. In addition, he put the Corporation back on the state’s payroll. He also settled the water corporation’s outstanding electricity bill of N1.3 billion.
“He appointed Engr Kabir Rufai – someone, who has three decades of experience in the water sector – as substantive Managing Director for KADSWAC,” the statement added.
According to him, Kaduna State also invested massively on the rehabilitation and retrofitting of all water treatment plants and distribution mains, with emphasis on sanitation and hygiene.
The statement further indicated that, the Commissioner also called on Kaduna residents to pay their water bills promptly, advising that KADSWAC staff should also be diligent in their duties.
All efforts to clarify from Water Board (or Works Ministry) were aborted due to bottlenecks or protocol.