Katsina — Katsina State Government says it has doubled appropriation for rural and urban water supply and sanitation purposes in the state; from last year's less than two billion naira mark to this year's over N4.7 billion.

The State's Water Resources Commissioner, Nasiru Danmusa, who stated this, said the budgetary increase arose out of the current administration's efforts at ensuring increase and access to safe water and sanitation; as well as increased partnership with stakeholders and external support agencies.

Danmusa said from 2007 to date, the state had spent over N267 million on various developmental projects in the area of urban water as well as semi-urban water supply; including rehabilitation of water schemes and construction of new ones.

He averred that to check problem of power outages which affects water supply, the state government is supplementing operation of the State Water Board through provision of diesel for utilisation of back-up generators at treatment plants.

Danmusa maintained that to further strengthen the capacity of the state's Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), government had placed order for supply of three sets of borehole drilling rigs with supporting vehicles and accessories.

He also stated that the state is collaborating with UNICEF in the development of a state-wide WASH Multi-Year Investment Plan and Sustainable Sector Policy, and that it is seeking the Federal Government, donor agencies and aid organisations for the completion of ongoing regional schemes and co-financing of new projects in the state.