Uba Sani targets statewide water access in Kaduna

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has announced that water production in the state has increased from eight per cent to over 30 per cent in the last two and a half years, following a comprehensive overhaul of the water sector.

The governor made this known when the management of the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) paid him a courtesy visit.

He pledged that his administration would achieve 100 per cent water coverage across Kaduna State by late 2026.

Governor Sani lamented that the water sector had suffered years of neglect, noting that when his administration came into office, the sector was in a state of severe decline.

“For over a decade, our water sector suffered from systemic neglect.

“When we assumed office, treatment plants were dormant, distribution networks had been damaged by past urban renewal projects, and water production had dropped to a staggering eight per cent,” he said.

According to the governor, his administration embarked on an extensive rehabilitation of water infrastructure across the state, committing between ₦93 billion and ₦100 billion from 2024 to 2027 to ensure reliable access to clean water for all households.

He disclosed that over ₦5 billion had been spent on replacing pipes vandalised or destroyed during urban renewal projects in Zaria and Kafanchan, while an additional ₦10 billion investment is ongoing for the replacement of critical pipelines in Kaduna metropolis.

He added that ₦1.4 billion had been invested in water purification chemicals to improve water quality.

Governor Sani also revealed that the state government had cleared ₦1.3 billion in outstanding electricity bills to keep water pumps running and ensure uninterrupted supply.

Beyond infrastructure, the governor said his administration prioritised the welfare of workers in the water sector, noting that salary arrears of over ₦900 million owed to staff of the Kaduna State Water Corporation (KADSWAC) had been cleared.

He further disclosed that land had been approved for a mass housing project in Millennium City, Kaduna, to provide affordable housing for professionals in the water sector.

Emphasising the importance of expertise for long-term sustainability, Governor Sani pledged closer collaboration with the National Water Resources Institute.

He announced the allocation of land for the establishment of NWRI branches in Zaria and Kachia to address training gaps and strengthen manpower capacity in the state.

Earlier, the Director-General of NWRI, Dr Abduljalal Danbaba, said the institute has both academic and research mandates and coordinates the activities of the country’s 12 river basins.

He noted that the institute has been recognised as a World Meteorological Centre in Africa and serves as an advisory body to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation on manpower development.

Dr Danbaba disclosed that NWRI plans to increase enrolment and is offering complimentary forms to the Kaduna State Government for short-term courses, with beneficiaries paying only 50 per cent of the registration fees, to enhance manpower development in the water sector.