Kaduna -The Kaduna State Government, on Tuesday said it would establish three agencies to regulate water and sanitation issues in the state.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Lere, told newsmen in Kaduna that a bill for the establishment of the agencies would be forwarded to the state House of Assembly.
He said that the agencies include the Kaduna State Water Corporation, Rural Water Supply Agency and State Water Sector Regulatory Commission.
Lere said that the bills, which had been cleared by the state Executive Council, were in line with National Water Policy.
He explained that the new water corporation would replace the state water board, while the ministry would continue to formulate policies and ensure coordination.
“Kaduna state government shall act as main facilitator, setting out policies, creating enabling environment, ensuring coordination amongs stakeholders such as overseeing the performance of all the agencies.
“At the end of the day, we envisage a cost sharing template in which the Federal Government will support 50% of all the rural water supply capital projects, the state government will come up with 25%, local government 20% and benefiting community, 5%.”
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According him, the overall aim is for the state to have a robust water supply and sanitation policy that will enhance service delivery.
He hinted that the new arrangement also involved the private sector, “so that they can be able to join hand with the government in carrying out capital projects, to guarantee supply of safe, potable water in the state.” (NAN)
