Kano Water Crisis: Governor Yusuf Approves ₦21.29bn for Infrastructure Upgrade – The Bureau News
By Suleiman Ahmad
The Bureau News | Nigeria News Today — Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved ₦21.29 billion for the rehabilitation of critical water infrastructure in Kano State, in a decisive move to tackle the persistent water scarcity affecting millions of residents.
The approval comes shortly after The Bureau News reported widespread frustration among residents over continued water shortages despite previous government spending in the sector.
The Acting Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Dahir Muhammad Hashim, disclosed that the intervention targets major facilities whose declining performance has significantly reduced water supply across the state.
Kano Water Crisis: Key Projects Targeted
According to the commissioner, ₦9.9 billion has been earmarked for the rehabilitation of the Tamburawa Water Treatment Plant and the restoration of its Raw Water Pump Station.
Another ₦11.39 billion will be used to rehabilitate the Challawa Raw Water Pump Station and Water Treatment Plant, alongside the restoration of the Goron Dutse Reservoirs, a critical distribution hub within Kano metropolis.
Dr. Hashim explained that the Tamburawa facility, originally designed to produce 150 million litres of water daily, is currently operating at only about 27 percent capacity due to flood damage sustained since 2022.
He added that the Challawa plant, with a production capacity of 220 million litres per day, is functioning below 30 percent capacity.
Production Capacity Drop Behind Water Shortage
Combined, the two plants were built to deliver 370 million litres of water daily. However, their current underperformance has contributed significantly to the prolonged water crisis in Kano.
The commissioner also revealed that the Goron Dutse Reservoirs have become non-functional due to vandalisation of key components, further worsening water distribution challenges.
“These realities explain the scale of the problem we face, but they also define the focus of our intervention,” Dr. Hashim stated.
Government Assures Residents of Lasting Solution
Dr. Hashim assured residents that the approved projects will restore production capacity, improve distribution efficiency, and stabilise water supply across Kano State.
He acknowledged the hardship caused by the ongoing water scarcity but emphasized that the administration is committed to a long-term solution.
“Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf remains committed to resolving these challenges sustainably. We are confident that these measures will significantly reduce water scarcity,” he said.
The Kano State Government also called on residents to protect public water infrastructure from vandalism, warning that repeated damage to facilities has contributed to service disruptions.
With this fresh investment, stakeholders say expectations are high that Kano’s long-standing water crisis will finally see a sustainable turnaround.
