Gov Sani Pledges Improved Water Supply In Kaduna

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has promised 100 per cent reliable water supply in the state, noting that water production has increased from 8 per cent to over 30 per cent in the last two and half years.

Governor Sani said the improvement of water supply was as a result of a comprehensive overhaul of infrastructure.

Governor Sani who stated this when the management of the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) paid him a courtesy call in Kaduna, assured 100 per cent water coverage across Kaduna state by late 2026.

He lamented that, “For over a decade, our water sector suffered from systemic neglect.

“When this administration assumed office, we encountered a sector in deep distress – treatment plants were dormant, distribution networks had been severely compromised by past urban renewal projects, and overall water production had fallen to a staggering 8 per cent,”’ he noted.

Governor Sani disclosed that his administration then embarked on an unprecedented journey to comprehensively overhaul Kaduna State’s water infrastructure.

According to him, his government has “committed between ₦93 billion and ₦100 billion over the next four years, from 2024 to 2027, to ensure that every household in Kaduna State enjoys a steady and reliable supply of clean water.”

The governor said that his administration spent over ₦5 billion replacing pipes lost to vandalism and damage during past urban renewal projects in Zaria and Kafanchan.

“A further ₦10 billion investment in replacement of priority and critical pipelines for Kaduna is ongoing,” he said, adding that “we have invested ₦1.4 billion in high-quality water purification chemicals.”

Governor Sani added his administration had cleared ₦1.3 billion in outstanding electricity bills to keep pumps running to guarantee uninterrupted operations.

He pointed out that Kaduna State Government has not only invested in water infrastructure renewal, but also “prioritised the welfare of workers who make things happen in the water sector.”

The governor added that he has cleared the salary arrears of Kaduna State Water Corporation (KADSWAC) staff, amounting to over N900 million and integrated the workforce into the heart of the reform agenda.

Governor Sani allocated land to the establishment of branches of the institute in Zaria and Kachia, adding that they “will bridge critical training gaps and ensure that our state agencies are staffed by some of the best-trained water professionals in the country.”

Earlier, the director-general, National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Dr Abduljalal Danbaba said the institute has both academic and research mandates, adding that it harmonises the activities of the 12 River Basins in the country.