From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Interior, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, has constructed 71 solar-powered boreholes across communities in the Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency of Katsina State to improve access to clean and potable water.
According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Sardauna Francis, the boreholes were drilled after extensive geophysical and hydrogeological surveys conducted by environmental experts to determine the appropriate drilling depth and method in each community.
The statement explained that in Musawa Local Government Area, three boreholes were drilled in each of the 11 political wards, while an additional four were constructed in the council’s headquarters, bringing the total for Musawa to 37.
Similarly, in Matazu Local Government Area, three boreholes were drilled in each of the 10 wards, with four others in the headquarters, making up the remaining 34 boreholes.
Each of the 71 solar-powered boreholes, according to the statement, includes five fetching points and is equipped with solar panels powering submersible pumps, enhancing the sustainability of the project. The facilities also underwent water quality and capacity tests to ensure suitability for human consumption.
To safeguard the infrastructure, the statement noted that fences with locks were erected around each borehole site. In addition, community-based committees were formed to oversee maintenance and coordinate with government-trained water experts.
“The drilling of these boreholes aims to provide a reliable and sustainable water supply for the residents of Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency, addressing water scarcity and improving water management for both domestic and agricultural needs,” the statement read.
“These 71 solar-powered boreholes are not just about water supply; they are about transforming lives because access to clean water is fundamental to health, economic growth, and social development,” it added.
Hon. Ahmed said the project would relieve residents of Musawa, Matazu, and surrounding villages of the long-standing challenge of inadequate water supply.