By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto
During the commissioning of the National Water Scheme for Bado, Kasarawa, Governor Tambuwal said the Water supply is indeed cardinal to the overall development drive of his Administration, considering that the availability of and access to clean, drinking water is pivotal to all the facets of life of the people.
” Efficient water supply is also a major prerequisite for industrial and economic development.
“It is in line with this realization that the Sokoto State Government has been making deliberate efforts to ensure the availability of adequate potable water to the people, as a top priority over the past six years.
“Our commitment to water supply is demonstrated in our annual budgetary allocation of sufficient finds for the water supply sector in both rural and urban areas.
“It is pertinent at this juncture, to recall the commitment we signed with the Honourable Minister of Water Resources on collaboration for the implementation of the World Bank Assisted Project, which is aimed to assist the State in the following areas:
a) Increase access to sustainable water supply service delivery.
b) Improve the financial viability of the existing water utilities.
c) develop the Water Supply Master Plan and Investment Plan for the State.
d) Development of a detailed customer database, billing soft-ware and improved revenue collection.
e) Infrastructural development and capacity building”.
He further said It is in view of this that we recommended the rehabilitation of this Bado–Kasarawa Water Supply facility to serve as a pilot scheme. The project consists of the following:
a) Drilling of 5 large diameter hybrid boreholes blended with dual advantage of solar and mechanical power supply.
b) Construction of 100,000 capacity steel welded tank on 12 metre tower
c) Construction of high-lift pumping station and installation of three new pumps
d) Construction of iron removal unit
20,000 metres pipe reticulation system within Bado and environs
e) Renovation of some existing buildings within the project area.
The benefiting communities from this project include Bado Housing Estate, Bado Hanya, Badon Eka part of Badon Barade and Kasarawa Village.
He added that on behalf of the people of these areas and indeed, the entire citizens of Sokoto State, I wish to express deep appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the World Bank for their contributions to this initiative.
He commended the State Ministry of Water Resources for their commitment to the success of this project and other water supply efforts of the Government in the state.
Tambuwal also declared to his honor and pleasure commission the Bado-Kasarawa Water Supply Project, under the 3rd National Urban Water Sector Reform Project (3RD NUWSRP), to the glory of Allah (SWT) and the benefit of the people of Sokoto State.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Umar Bature said the water project by Federal government in collaboration with World Bank Assisted Project to be commissioned by Governor Tambuwal was aimed at increasing access to sustainable water supply services delivery and improved financial viability of the existing water utilities.
Other reasons are development of water supply master plan/investment plan for the state utilities as well as the development of detailed customer database, billing software and improved revenue collection and infrastructural development and capacity building.
