By Rabiu Sanusi
The Kano State Government has attributed the persistent water shortage affecting several communities across the state to widespread vandalism, theft, and sabotage of public water infrastructure.
It has assured residents that normal water supply will be restored within the next two to three weeks.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Dahiru Hashim, gave the assurance while addressing concerns over the water crisis in communities such as Ghari, Dambatta, and Joda, where residents have been forced to rely on rivers and hand-dug wells for their daily water needs.
According to the commissioner, the current administration inherited several damaged and non-functional water schemes, while ongoing acts of vandalism have further crippled treatment plants and distribution facilities, making it difficult to maintain regular water supply.
He explained that the treatment plants serving Ghari and Dambatta were severely affected by the theft of critical equipment and the deliberate destruction of public assets, delaying efforts to restore water to the affected communities.
Hon. Hashim said the state government has already begun repairing and rehabilitating the damaged facilities as part of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s commitment to providing safe and reliable potable water to all residents.
He appealed to communities to protect public infrastructure and report acts of vandalism, stressing that the government cannot safeguard water facilities without the cooperation of the public.
Meanwhile, residents of the affected communities said the shortage has forced many households to fetch water from rivers and hand-dug wells.
They added that businesses have suffered, while families now spend hours each day searching for water.
The situation has also disrupted education in Joda community, in Gabasawa Local Government Area, where many children reportedly trek long distances every morning to fetch water before going to school.
Despite the challenges, the commissioner expressed confidence that the ongoing rehabilitation works would be completed within the next two to three weeks, enabling defective water schemes across the state to resume operations.
He reaffirmed the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving access to potable water and urged residents to remain patient as efforts continue to restore normal water supply across the affected communities.
