The Kano state government in collaboration with French Development Agency (AFD) is to spend over sixty four million Euro (€64Million) for the creation of new waterworks in Tamburawa and reticulations of the state water supply facilities.
The executive governor of Kano state Alhaji Abba Kabiru Yusuf while briefing journalist at a 2-day project coordination and review workshop organized by federal ministry of water resources and sanitation, through National Urban Water Sector Reform Project, and AFD held in Kano on Wednesday.
The governor represented by state commissioner for water resources Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda said the project which in collaboration between participating States and AFD focused on tackling of shortage of portable drinking water by the creation of new waterworks in Tamburawa in case of Kano and rehabilitation of other water supply facilities in all the participating States across the country.
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According to him, the four participating States are Kano, Plateau, Enugu, and Ondo state while Ogun state have already pullout of the project after successful implementation and completion of the project in the state.
“Kano is the only saving grass in the Northeastern Nigeria, people from all northern states are trooping to Kano due to insecurity in their states, so the population or rather the demography is huge, and a situation that the state government should planned on the supply of portable drinking water,” said Makoda.
“The main challenges we encounter is the issue of COVID-19 pandemic for delay in start-up and some consultants have also another problem but we thank Allah because we have all overcome it, our governor who is already an engineer and passionate on supply of portable drinking water, he have been supportive for all our activities,” Makoda added.
In a remark, the managing director of Kano state Water Board Engineer Garba Ahmed Bichi said currently all the five (5) mega water treatment plant are working while the 24 out of 28 existing plants across forty-four (44) local government areas were also working unlike in the previous administration were only two of all the plants operating.
“It is equally pertinent to note that apart from these 5 number existing Water treatment plants we also have additional 28 numbers of Medium size Water plants across the state serving the 44no. Local government areas. Therefore the need for intervention of AFD by the Kano state government to assist through loan facility for construction of additional Water intake station of 250 MLD capacity, rehabilitation of aforementioned Water treatment plants (Challawa and Tamburawa) and upgrading of transmission and distribution pipe networks including Water storage reservoirs in the Kano township became most imperative,” said the managing director.
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“Let me reiterate that Kano State Water Board remain responsible for payment of Salaries and allowances of the staff to the tune of 60 million Naira monthly, accordingly the Kano State Government takes responsibilities of procurement of Water chemicals, Diesel fuel for the stand by generators including payment of Energy bills for Kano State Water Board operations,” said Bichi
“The State Government pays over 1.2 billion monthly to settle the above mentioned services. And this was never neglected at any time as such we indeed say KUDUS to the present administration of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kano State Alhaii Abba k. Yusuf, once again we remained grateful,” he further said