CSO decries acute water shortage in Kano, demands declaration of state of emergency

By Muhammed Yakubu On Apr 23, 2024

CSO, water, Kano, state of emergency , — CSO decries acute water shortage in Kano, demands Declaration of state of emergency

A Civil Society Organisation, CSO, Fiscal Discipline and Development Advocacy Centre (FIDAC) has urged Kano State Government to declare a state of emergency on water supply in the state.

The CSO also charged the state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf to as a matter of public importance, authorize immediate withdrawal from Contingency Fund Account to ameliorate acute water shortage in the state

In a statement signed by FIDAC Executive Director, Dr. Abdussalam Muhammad Kani, on Tuesday and sent to SolaceBase, charged the government to rehabilitate all water infrastructures in the state for equitable rural-urban water security.

Due to acute water shortage in the Kano metropolitan, SolaceBase recalls that Kano State Government had recently apologized to residents over the persistent water scarcity that hit the capital city and its environs.

The government in a radio the Kano State Water Board apologised over the situation saying the situation was not intentional.

The board explained that the scarcity was as a result of ongoing repair works at its water treatment plants at Challawa and Tamburawa.

With this, water vendors have been doing brisk business as they hiked the price of a jerry can of water from N50 to N150.

The CSO said it discovered that the challenges causing acute water supply in Kano include insufficient number of water treatment plants as the existing ones for Kano Greater Water Supply Scheme, Tambura, Bagwai, and Shanono Water Schemes are dilapidated, faulty nature of pipelines supplying water to various places in the state, power failure and non-availability of diesel to power the machines in the areas where water treatment plants are cited.

Others it noted are untimely and inadequate release of budgetary funds, non-remittance of LGAs monthly water supply contributions to Kano Water Board, poor maintenance of existing boreholes and hand pump wells, failure of government to sink new boreholes and hand pump wells in strategic locations where the demand is high but with less supply and inadequate oversight by the responsible government MDAs and legislatures.

According to the statement, it said,’’ As a corporate social responsibility, companies and other business ventures operating in Kano are urged to help in reducing water shortages, leakages and wastages through rehabilitation of water infrastructure, repair of faulty hand pump wells and boreholes for equitable water security.’’

‘’Philanthropies and well-meaning individuals are equally urged to extend similar gestures to the good people of Kano State.

The government should leverage on its existing policy guidelines and instrumentalities of law, where necessary, to reclaim and restore open spaces for increased water percolation below the surface as well as creating and restoring green spaces.

Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) should develop rural water supply clusters for maximum efficiency.

The statement noted that in order to provide steady power supply and cut down diesel expenditure for Kano Greater Water Supply Scheme, Tambura, Bagwai and Shanono Water Scheme facilities, the State government should ensure speedy completion and commissioning of Kano Independent Hydro Power Station.

‘’There should be collaboration and partnerships between Kano state government and Hadeja Jama’are

‘’Kano state government should strengthen Kano state Water Board and RUWASA through human resources development and adequate provision of facilities.

Kano State House of Assembly (KSHoA)

‘’For fact-finding of the genesis of acute shortage of water supply, Kano House of Assembly should summon Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Water Resources and MDs of both Kano State Water Board and RUWASA.’’

‘’KSHoA should pass a resolution urging Kano state government to declare water supply state of emergency.

Since Kano is the most populous state and centre of commerce in Nigeria, KSHoA should liaise with federal law-makers to seek for intervention of Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

Members KSHoA should tailor their constituency projects towards rehabilitation of faulty pump wells and boreholes and where necessary construction new ones.

KSHoA should expeditiously enact law to make water resources budgetary provisions among the first line charges.

The house is also urged to increase the Ministry of water resources annual budgetary allocations and embark on oversight to ensure prompt releases and utilization.

LGAs should be mandated by KSHoA to urgently rehabilitate boreholes and hand pump wells in their areas and sink new ones in a strategic location where the demand is high but with less supply.

Kano State House of Assembly should ensure adherence to Kano State Water Resources Law which limit arbitrary construction of hand pump wells and boreholes in the state.

In order to provide a steady power supply and cut down diesel expenditure for Kano Greater Water Supply Scheme, Tambura, Bagwai and Shanono Water Scheme facilities, KSHoA should pass a resolution to ensure speedy completion and commissioning of the Kano Independent Hydro Power Station.