Niger State Government Unveils Comprehensive Plans to Tackle Water Supply Challenges
In a bid to address the ongoing water supply issues plaguing Minna and other key towns in Niger State, the state government has announced its implementation of short, medium, and long-term strategies.
This declaration was made by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources and Dams Development, Akilu Musa Kuta, during an interview with Journalist’s in Minna.
Akilu Kuta highlighted that the primary factors contributing to the current water shortages include the dislocation of pipelines due to ongoing road construction, outdated equipment, vandalism, and inadequate energy supply to the Chanchaga water works by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), which has been exacerbated by the installation of a prepaid meter with a monthly bill of around two hundred million naira.
To provide immediate relief, the government is relocating disrupted water pipelines, resulting in a revival of water supply to several major areas in the city.
In the medium term, a budget allocation of twenty billion naira has been earmarked for the water sector to enhance services and expand access in developing regions.
For long-term solutions, plans are in place to engage an Arab contractor to dredge and desilt the Tagwai Dam, improving its capacity to meet the water needs of the population. Additionally, the state is working with the Niger Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) to improve water works in New Bussa and Kuta.
Furthermore, a partnership has been formed with a donor for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project for Nigeria (SPIN), backed by a ten million US dollar investment, with a domiciliary account established with First Bank of Nigeria for the initiative.
Akilu Kuta urged citizens to remain patient, offer their cooperation, and continue to support the government in these endeavors, emphasizing that such collaboration is essential for the overall development and benefit of the state.
