Some residents of Kaduna State have appealed to Senator Uba Sani, the state governor-elect, to prioritise providing potable water to residents.

In separate interviews on Wednesday in Kaduna, the residents described the lack of access to potable water across the state as worrisome.

One of the residents, Martins Dangwa, who said water should not be a luxury, stressed that Mr Sani’s governance priority should be restoring public water supply across the state.

Mr Dangwa pointed out that many communities had not seen their tap running for years, adding that the reforms to improve water supply had yet to create significant change.

Another resident, Gloria Bulus, said the provision of water should be prioritised, considering its pivotal role in sustaining life.

Ms Bulus, the executive director of Bridge that Gap Initiative, an NGO, urged citizens to engage in the governance process and demand improved service delivery.

“Now that we have elected our leaders, it is time citizens engage in real governance and demand for quality services, particularly water supply and other environmental interventions to mitigate climate change,” she said.

Similarly, Kuzasuwat Peter, the state’s coordinator of the Society for Water and Sanitation, also urged the incoming administration to improve water supply in parts of the state.

Mr Peter pointed out that most parts of the state have become dry zones, with residents complaining of water pumps not running.

He urged Mr Sani to strengthen the water delivery system in the state, adding that water and sanitation were central to the development of other sectors.

“We particularly want the incoming government to close the gaps between small towns’ water supply and sanitation and rural-urban water supply,” he added.

Mr Sani of the APC emerged as governor-elect with 730,002 votes to defeat his closest contender, Ashiru Kudan of PDP, who garnered 719,196 votes.

(NAN)