By Usman Usman Garba
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has assured residents of the Kano metropolis that the shortage of potable drinking water will be significantly reduced within the next few months, as the government has intensified its restoration efforts.
The Governor gave the assurance during an inspection visit to the Challawa Water Works, located at Panshekara in Kumbotso Local Government Area, Wednesday.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad.
The Governor began inspections of water treatment plants on Tuesday, starting with a visit to Tamburawa.
During the inspection, Governor Yusuf expressed concern that one of the three primary pumping lines is currently faulty.
He assured that the new company engaged to overhaul the treatment plant would soon carry out emergency repairs to enable water pumping to the metropolis, after feasibility studies are concluded and agreements finalized between both parties.
The Governor explained that the company entrusted with the rehabilitation of the water works is globally recognised and has pledged to do its best to resolve the water shortage in the near future.
He emphasised that the government would do everything possible to rehabilitate the two major water treatment plants in the metropolis, although their current capacity may not fully address the problem, considering the state’s population of over 20 million people.
“When the Challawa Water Works was originally built during the reign of Emir Abdullahi Bayero, the population of Kano was approximately three million,” the Governor noted, stressing the need to expand current capacities to meet modern demands.
The Governor commended the staff of the water treatment plant for their dedication and urged them to remain steadfast in supporting the administration’s goal of ending water scarcity.
He added that the inspection provided him with first-hand knowledge of the facility’s condition, enabling a more strategic approach to the overhaul.
At present, the Challawa Water Works is operating at less than 40 percent of its total capacity.
Governor Yusuf was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner for Environment (overseeing the Ministry of Water Resources), Commissioner for Education, Commissioner for Works, and Commissioner for Power.