Katsina Approves N20bn For Safe Water Access

The Katsina State government has earmarked N20 billion for a comprehensive water infrastructure initiative as part of the World Bank-funded Nigeria Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (SURWASH) project.

The programme aims to expand access to clean water and improved sanitation facilities across the state.
In a press briefing, the state commissioner for water resources, Dr Bashir Gambo Saulawa, confirmed the state’s commitment, noting that N5 billion has already been allocated to kick-start the project.
“The procurement plan will initially target ten local governments in 2024, with expansion plans for 2025,” he said.

The executive director of the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Suleiman Abukur, outlined specific project goals for 110 communities across eight local governments: Charanchi, Batagarawa, Baure, Daura, Funtua, Malumfashi, Kafur, and Kankara. “We plan to drill forty solar-powered boreholes in 40 communities and install hand-pump boreholes in another 50 communities,” he announced.

The managing director of the Katsina State Water Board, Tukur Hassan, revealed that a significant portion of the funds will improve pipeline networks in major urban areas, including Katsina, Daura, Dutsinma, and Malumfashi. “The plan includes providing water access to 20 areas in Katsina, 14 in Daura, 9 each in Malumfashi and Funtua, and 6 areas in Dutsinma,” he explained.

The executive director of the Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Ibrahim Lawal, emphasized that his agency will construct complete water schemes. These include boreholes, 225-cubic-meter water reservoirs, and public water stands across seven local government areas.