Sokoto State Government has finalised plans to engage the services of community members to protect water supply facilities against vandalism in their respective communities.
The state commissioner for water resources, Yusuf Muhammad Maccido, who disclosed this during a press conference, said the vandalisation of water facilities is posing a serious challenge to the state water board in the provision of water supply to the people of the state.
According to him, under the new arrangements, some renovated water intake facilities would be under the watch and surveillance of community leaders against vandals for effective and proper utilisation of the people.
Maccido, who praised the management of the state water board for their dedication and hard work, assured the board of continued state government support to ensure constant water supply to the people.
For his part, secretary of the board, Shuaibu Muhammad Boyi, said over 10 suspected vandals were arrested and handed over to the state committee on vandalisation of government properties for onward arraignment in court.
He maintains that this was in addition to those arrested for vandalizing a 136-kilometer cable worth over N10 million at Rungin Sambo water intakes.
Boyi noted that reports of vandalisation at the water supply facilities have become a source of concern to management and the entire board staff as they affect the board’s routine operations.
However, general manager of the board, Engineer Aminu Mika’ilu claims that within just two months of the new management, the Sokoto State Water Board has achieved remarkable progress in water supply.
He stated that, “notably, at the Kware water intake, where only one out of six pumps was functioning, an additional pump has been repaired, with another undergoing repairs.
“At the water treatment plant, two pumps have been reactivated, with plans to repair a third.
Previously, blocked filters have been resuscitated, and desiltation works have been carried out on water tanks at old water works.
“Boreholes and operational vehicles are being repaired to ensure effective service delivery.”
