Ibrahim Hamza, Kaduna State’s Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure, says Governor Uba Sani’s massive investment in the water sector has started yielding positive results.

According to him, there has been an unprecedented increase in the water supply in Kaduna State over the last month.

The commissioner also promised that the water supply would be further boosted when the Makera Water Treatment Plant is rehabilitated.

This is contained in a press statement by the governor’s chief press secretary, Ibrahim Musa, on Sunday in Kaduna.

The commissioner said areas like Tudun Wada, Malali, Unguwan Dosa, and Doka ward, as well as Unguwan Rimi, Barnawa and Narayi, had witnessed increased water supply since December.

The Malali Water Works, which has been rehabilitated to optimum capacity, has greatly improved the 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.

Mr Hamza disclosed that both the 150 MLD and 10 MLD Zaria Water Works are fully working, and the residents have also been enjoying a 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, ‘’boreholes would be rendered redundant when the entire water treatment plants across the state are up and running because residents will have no use for them.’’

The commissioner 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 the recruitment of a versatile Managing Director for KADSWAC.

He said Mr Sani had planned to spend N93 billion in four years for the rehabilitation of the water sector in four tranches, to holistically address the neglect of the past 11 years.

‘’First, he paid all outstanding salaries and wages of KADWAC 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 Mr Kabir Rufai, someone who has three decades of experience in the water sector, as substantive Managing Director for KADSWAC, ‘’ Mr Hamza added.

According to him, Kaduna State had also invested massively in the rehabilitation and retrofitting of all water treatment plants and distribution mains, with emphasis on sanitation and hygiene.

The commissioner further said the Commissioner also called on Kaduna residents to pay their water bills promptly, advising that KADSWAC staff should also be diligent in their duties.

(NAN)