Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno has announced his administration’s commitment to convert all boreholes within Maiduguri and its environs to solar-powered ones for a steady water supply.

Mr Zulum made this known in a broadcast to residents about the problem of water scarcity in the city caused by a lack of steady electricity supply.

The power supply to Maiduguri from the national grid has been affected since January when insurgents destroyed some of the transmission towers.

Also, the new 50-megawatt gas power plant constructed by the federal government in Maiduguri has been off and on due to technical and software problems.

In the video from Saudi Arabia, where he was observing the lesser Hajj (Umrah), Mr Zulum said alternative measures were also being taken to address the water problem within 48 hours.

He lamented the corruption associated with some of those handling government boreholes within the city, who were being supplied fuel for six hours daily but ended up pumping water for only one hour daily.

“We are going to set up committees for the boreholes in each ward, involving residents to monitor and address the problem.

“Residents need to sit up and assist the government in ensuring service delivery,” Mr Zulum said.

He urged citizens to use the period of Ramadan to pray for peace and prosperity and for divine intervention in exposing saboteurs of government programmes and policies.

Mr Zulum noted the recent arrest of some people linked to cases of fire outbreaks in displaced persons camps, adding that with more commitment and prayers from all, God would continue to expose enemies of progress in the state.

(NAN)