Sokoto Govt earmarks N6bn to revamp 40-year-old water works

By Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto

The Sokoto State Government has earmarked N6 billion for the rehabilitation of the over 40-year-old Sokoto Water Works as part of efforts to ensure steady water supply to the growing population of the state capital and its environs.

The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Aminu Dodo Iya, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists in Sokoto, noting that the administration inherited water facilities that were “nearly moribund” in May 2023.

According to him, Governor Ahmed Aliyu made the State Water Board his first official point of call after his inauguration on May 29, 2023, following concerns over the deteriorating state of water infrastructure.

“These facilities were almost non-existent when we took over. The situation was dire, but immediate action was taken, and today, that ugly scenario is gradually becoming a thing of the past,” he said.

Dodo Iya stated that significant progress had been made in revitalising the system, adding that the government was close to achieving round-the-clock potable water supply across Sokoto metropolis.

“We are not yet at 100 per cent, but we are on the verge of ensuring that residents enjoy adequate water supply for 24 hours,” he added.

He further revealed that the administration had executed several urban, semi-urban and rural water schemes, many of which had already been restored.

As part of these efforts, no fewer than 31 solar-powered boreholes have been completed and energised across the metropolis to complement power supply challenges from the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company.

The commissioner also noted that existing boreholes had been rehabilitated, with plans underway to convert more of them to solar-powered systems.

On infrastructure security, Dodo Iya said the government had engaged Jedo Security Firm to safeguard water facilities across the state.

Corroborating his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Muhammad Bello Ibrahim, commended the governor’s commitment to improving water supply, assuring that all necessary measures would be taken to achieve the administration’s target.

Similarly, the General Manager of the Sokoto State Water Board, Engr. Aminu Haruna Mika’ilu, disclosed that the government had commenced the installation of a 4.2-megawatt solar power project to support water operations.

He said all equipment for the project, including lithium batteries and inverters, had been delivered to Sokoto, while the control room had been completed.

Mika’ilu added that installation works were ongoing, with pillars being constructed for about 10,000 solar panels.

He also confirmed that plans to rehabilitate obsolete water supply equipment were receiving urgent government attention.