The story of water in Katsina State is changing. After over four decades of dashed hopes and unfulfilled promises, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has finally breathed life into the long-abandoned Zobe Water Project a multi-billion-naira dream that had lingered since 1983.
In a landmark event held at Kafin Soli Booster Station, the Governor officially flagged off the ₦31.8 billion Zobe Phase 1B Water Project, promising to deliver clean and safe water to more than 16 communities across five local government areas of the state.
“This project is not just about pipes and pumps; it’s about life, health, and dignity,” he said
The project, awarded to Mutual Commitment Company Limited (MCC), marks the most ambitious water intervention ever undertaken by the Katsina State Government.
It aims to finally harness the full capacity of the Zobe Dam, which was completed more than forty years ago but never realized its intended purpose.
For years, the people of Kankia, Charanchi, Dutsin-Ma, Batagarawa, and Katsina metropolis watched the massive Zobe Dam stand idle, a symbol of failed governance and wasted opportunity. But under Radda’s leadership, the dam is being transformed into what the Governor calls “a promise finally fulfilled.”
He noted that beyond providing potable water, the project would spur agricultural productivity, industrial expansion, and youth employment.
“Our goal is not just to build systems but to create sustainable infrastructure that will serve generations to come,” the Governor said.
The Zobe Phase 1B network will reach communities such as Karofi-Radda, Kafin Soli, Tafashiya, Koda-Charanchi, Yarranda, Tashar Albasa, Faduma, Rijiya Mai Siminti, Lambar Rimi, Abukur, and Tudun Kaadir areas that have waited decades for clean water.
Governor Radda emphasized that his administration would maintain strict supervision, transparency, and accountability to ensure quality delivery and timely completion.
Tied to Global Development Frameworks
The Governor disclosed that the Zobe Water Project aligns with the World Bank-supported SURWASH Programme, which is already improving access to clean water in eight local government areas.
He further revealed ongoing rehabilitation works at Ajiwa, Danja, and Sabuwa Dams as part of wider efforts to enhance water security and resilience across the state.
Katsina, he added, is also participating in the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project an initiative that includes approved designs for Zobe and Danja Dams, integrating irrigation, hydropower generation, and food security into the state’s development agenda.
Technical Backbone: From Dam to Tap
In his technical briefing, the Managing Director of the Katsina State Water Board, Engr. Tukur Tinglin, explained that Phase 1A of the project which involved constructing a water treatment plant was completed in July 2022.
That phase currently produces 40 to 45 million litres daily, but the Katsina metropolis alone consumes over 130 million litres per day, leaving a significant shortfall.
“That is why Phase 1B is so critical,” Engr. Tinglin explained. “It extends the distribution network to homes, schools, and businesses, transforming forty years of waiting into a new era of progress and development.”
The Phase 1B extension will ensure that treated water from the Zobe Dam reaches end users across several districts, a development expected to drastically reduce dependence on boreholes and unsafe wells.
A Model of Home-Grown Leadership
The Group Managing Director of MCC Limited, Mr. Liu Zhaolong, commended Governor Radda for his visionary leadership and timely financial intervention, describing the Zobe project as “a model of home-grown governance and accountability.”
He recalled how the Governor personally visited the site in 2023, insisting on visible progress before the rainy season.
“For the first time, our teams worked day and night. The Governor honoured every financial commitment, and together we achieved 100 percent water output before the rains,” he said.
Mr. Liu assured that MCC would complete the project within one year, adhering to global construction standards, while training local engineers to manage and maintain the system after completion.
He emphasized that the project is fully funded by the Katsina State Government, demonstrating fiscal discipline and local ownership of development initiatives.
Voices of Gratitude
The flag-off ceremony drew a large crowd of dignitaries, traditional leaders, and community representatives, many of whom described the project as the realization of a generational dream.
The District Head of Dutsin-Ma and Yandakan Katsina, Alhaji Sada Mohammed Sada, speaking on behalf of the benefiting district heads, said:
“Our people have waited for this for decades. This project renews our faith in government and rekindles our hope for a better future.”
Retired military officer Col. Abdulmumini Aminu also lauded the Governor’s commitment, while Hon. Lawal Abdullahi, Chairman of Kankia Local Government, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks:
“This project directly touches the lives of our people. We thank the Governor for this life-changing intervention and assure him of our continued support.”
Human Impact Beyond the Numbers
Beyond the engineering and budget figures, the Zobe Phase 1B project speaks to the everyday realities of the people. For residents who have endured years of walking long distances to fetch water or relying on unsafe wells, the new system promises clean water, better health, and restored dignity.
Experts say improved access to water will significantly reduce waterborne diseases, promote hygiene, and enhance school attendance, particularly among girls who often bear the burden of fetching water.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Bishir Gambo Saulawa, summed up the Governor’s vision succinctly:
“Access to clean water is not a privilege, it’s a right. Governor Radda has moved Katsina from endless planning to visible, life-changing results.”
A Broader Vision for Development
For Governor Radda, the Zobe Water Project is more than a single infrastructure effort, it is part of a larger transformation blueprint for Katsina.
His administration is pushing multiple reforms in education, health, agriculture, and rural development, all anchored on the belief that basic amenities like water are the foundation of progress.
By connecting the Zobe project to agriculture and power generation under the SPIN initiative, Radda’s government aims to make Katsina not just water-secure but economically self-reliant.
A Symbol of Renewed Trust
The flag-off event was graced by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba Faskari, local government ALGON chairmen, members of the State Executive Council, and representatives of the Katsina and Daura Emirates.
Their presence underscored the political consensus behind the project, one that transcends party lines and unites communities around shared progress.
As the event ended and the excavators roared to life, the crowd’s applause captured the moment’s symbolism: the sound of water pipes being laid was also the sound of hope being restored.
After forty years of waiting, the people of Katsina can finally look forward to turning on their taps and seeing the promise of Zobe at long last flow into their homes.
