Water crisis persists in Kano as Gov Yusuf marks two years in office
As Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf marks two years in office on Wednesday, his administration faces growing criticism over its failure to address the worsening water crisis plaguing both urban and rural communities in Kano State.
SolaceBase has uncovered that despite repeated promises and substantial budgetary allocations, access to clean water remains elusive to many residents.
One of the starkest examples of the implications of this crisis was seen in Mikiya and Ballagaza communities in Gabasawa Local Government Area, where contaminated water following the August 2024 floods led to a deadly cholera outbreak.
The incident exposed deep-rooted infrastructural deficiencies and highlighted the consequences of prolonged neglect.
While the government claims to spend approximately N1.2 billion monthly on water supply in Kano metropolis—including N400 million for diesel, N387 million for chemicals, and N280 million on electricity—residents say the situation on the ground tells a different story.
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Across the eight metropolitan local government areas—Dala, Fagge, Gwale, Kano Municipal, Kumbotso, Tarauni, Nasarawa, and Ungogo—acute water shortages persist.
The crisis has triggered widespread outrage. In some areas, a 25-litre jerry can of water now sells for as high as N150. Residents say prices skyrocket to N200 whenever there’s a power outage or during the collapse of the national electricity grid, as borehole owners cite the high cost of diesel for running generators.
During such periods, many residents are forced to wake up as early as possible—sometimes even before dawn—in search of water vendors.
This daily scramble delays essential morning routines, including preparing breakfast for school children, and adds pressure on low-income households already grappling with rising living costs.
Although the Kano State Government has consistently attributed the crisis to outdated equipment at the Tamburawa Water Treatment Plant and rising demand due to increased temperatures, civil society organisations and residents argue that excuses no longer suffice.
Public taps have dried up, and many households are forced to travel long distances in search of water—some relying on private boreholes owned by the wealthy.
Civil society organisations have called on the state government to declare a state of emergency on water supply and authorize immediate intervention from the Contingency Fund Account.
They also urged a complete overhaul of existing water infrastructure and the construction of new treatment plants to meet growing demand.
With 809 reported cholera cases and 46 related deaths in Kano between January and October 2024, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), many believe the state’s inadequate investment in water and health infrastructure is a ticking time bomb.
Despite proposing N14.5 billion in capital expenditure for the Ministry of Water Resources in the 2025 budget, critics fear these allocations may once again fall victim to poor implementation.
As Kano marks two years under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration, residents continue to express deepening concerns over the persistent water crisis ravaging their communities.
Sulaiman Ahmad, a renowned analyst, blamed corruption and poor leadership for the challenges plaguing Kano state.
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Despite significant budget allocations, he argued that tangible improvements are lacking due to mismanagement.
He said, “Funds are allocated, but the work on the ground doesn’t reflect it. Some public officials misuse these funds for selfish gains, stemming from a lack of patriotism.”
He called for patriotic leadership and stricter enforcement of accountability to address these issues.
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