The Katsina State government said it has spent N5.8 billion on Danja dam construction and rehabilitation of other water supply schemes.

The state deputy governor, Faruk Lawal, stated this at a press briefing on Sunday in Katsina.

He said the measure was aimed at boosting water supply and irrigation activities.

The deputy governor said that apart from the Danja dam project, the rehabilitation of the Yashe earth dam in Kusada Local Government and the upgrade of the Musawa water supply scheme were completed by the administration.

“The treatment process units, laboratory, admin block and workshop at Batagarawa were also rehabilitated,” he said.

He also said the government, through the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), spent N2.3 billion to undertake numerous water supply schemes in rural areas.

The deputy governor said the projects included the provision of 120 hand-pump boreholes for communities and 25 solar-powered boreholes for primary schools and health centres.

Mr Lawal said the communities, schools, and health facilities that benefited from the project were in Baure, Batagarawa, Daura, Funtua, Kafur, and Katsina, which are local government areas.

“While another 50 hand pumps and 46 solar-powered boreholes for communities, as well as 20 WASH facilities for primary schools and health centres, are ongoing in Batagarawa, Baure, Charanchi, Daura, Funtua, Kafur, Kankara, and Malumfashi,” he said.

He said the government responded to a demand by the Kindigi community in Mashi LGA and constructed a 24,000-litre solar-powered water supply scheme and VIP latrines for the community.

Mr Lawal added that N1.1 billion was also expended as special intervention from the federal government and International Development Partners for the provision of WASH facilities in 16 local government areas (LGAs).

He said the LGAs were Bindawa, Danja, Daura, Dutsi, Funtua, Mashi, Kankia, Kusada, Batsari, Jibia, Kurfi, Baure, Kankara, Katsina, Mani, and Rimi.

The deputy governor revealed that the government procured one 80-kilowatt submersible pump and 121 Valves to enhance the Ajiwa Water Scheme.

“Furthermore, a 7.5 MVA/33KV/11KV transformer was procured and installed at Ajiwa water treatment plant,” he said.

He also said the state government has successfully purchased the Renewable Energy Water Supply component from Germany for the Ajiwa Water Treatment Plant.

(NAN)