to Eradicate Water Scarcity — Katsina Governor Radda Pledges

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, gave an assurance on Thursday to tackle the persistent issue of water shortages throughout the state. He committed to achieving this by consistently investing in water infrastructure and broadening the availability of clean drinking water.

The Governor articulated this commitment during the official commissioning of the Tsagero Small Town Water Supply Scheme, located in the Rimi Local Government Area. He emphasized that access to potable water is a fundamental human requirement, crucial for fostering public health, economic advancement, and enduring development.

Governor Radda further revealed that his administration has successfully completed 32 out of the 66 Small Town Water Supply Schemes initially awarded. These completed projects are either already functioning or prepared for formal inauguration, with additional schemes actively under construction.

He stated, “Our administration is determined to address water supply challenges and improve the living conditions of our people. We are not stopping here. More STOWASSA schemes will be constructed and expanded across the state to ensure that every community has access to safe, reliable and sustainable water services.”

The Governor explained that the Tsagero water project is designed to supply clean water to residential areas, educational institutions, medical centres, and commercial establishments. This initiative is also expected to significantly alleviate the arduous task of fetching water, particularly for women and children.

“The project we are commissioning today represents a significant step forward in our efforts to ensure that communities such as Tsagero have access to safe, sustainable and adequate water supply services,” Radda affirmed.

Radda highlighted that the state government is also pursuing various other strategies to bolster water provision. These include the extensive Zobe Water Supply Project, valued at billions of Naira, along with the restoration of critical water infrastructure, the modernization of Water Board operations through automation, and schemes receiving backing from the World Bank via its SURWASH and SPIN initiatives.

The Governor appealed to the inhabitants of Tsagero to embrace a sense of responsibility for the new facility, urging them to safeguard it and utilize it judiciously to guarantee its long-term viability. “To the people of Tsagero, this project belongs to you. Protect it. Support its management. Use it responsibly,” he further advised.

For an extended period, Katsina State has contended with insufficient access to clean drinking water, especially in its rural areas. Here, citizens frequently depend on rudimentary hand-dug wells, natural streams, and other potentially hazardous water sources. Factors such as rapid demographic expansion, deteriorating infrastructure, and environmental challenges linked to climate change have exacerbated the pressure on the state's water supply networks in numerous regions.