By Bashir Rabe Mani
Sokoto – The Sokoto State Government has commenced the rehabilitation of three water works at the cost N 7.5billon, according to the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Arkiza Tureta.
Tureta disclosed this in Sokoto on Friday at a news conference where he presented his ministry’s stewardship to mark two years of Gov. Aminu Tambuwal’s assumption of office.
The commissioner said that the state government had already paid N5 billion to the contractor to facilitate its completion of the project.
‘`This project has been earmarked to cover the state capital and its environs, like Runjin Sambo, Rugar Lima, Gagi, Mana and old airport, among others.
“ This is to enhance the water supply capacity in Sokoto metropolis and when completed,it will provide additionally 40 million gallons, per day, ”the commissioner said.
Tureta said that the state government had also awarded a contract for the supply of four generators at the cost of N642.6million to boost the capacity of the state water board.
The commissioner said: “The state government has approved the reactivation of 39 boreholes, as well as the drilling of a new one, all to cost it N245million.
“The state government has also approved the bulk purchase of N657million worth of water treatment chemicals.
The state government has mobilised the contractor with 30 per cent of the contract sum so as to start work.”
Tureta also disclosed that other related projects were at various stages of completion with a view to boosting water supply to the residents of the state.
According to him, the state water board will be providing 100 million gallons of water per day, upon the completion of all the ongoing projects.
Tureta, however, identified the expansion of Sokoto metropolis, irregular power supply, exorbitant electricity bills and high cost of fuels and lubricants as some of the challenges affecting the board’s operations.
He also listed lack of genuine spare parts as another challenge hindering efficient water supply in the state.
“We are also commending the state government for its commitment to the provision of adequate water supply to the residents of the state,” he added.
Also the state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Abdulkadir Jeli, said the news conference was organised to showcase the achievements of the state government in the last two years.
The chairman of state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Isa Shuni, represented by the secretary, Abdallah Elkurebe, promised that his members would continue to report happenings in the state objectively.
