Aisha Wakaso
31 October 2009
Minna — The Niger State government has set aside N715 million to reinvigorate the water setor to provide steady water supply for people living in Minna and its environs.
Dr. Isah Vatsa, who is the Commissioner for Water Resources, disclosed this to journalists in Minna when he took some journalists on a facility tour to ascertain the level of progress achieved by the contractors on site.
According to Vatsa, N225 million was spent on the dredging Tagwai dam while an additional N190 million is being spent on dredging the Changaga channel of the dam.
He said an additional N300m was spent to reinvigorate the state water board, adding that work has passed 50 percent completion stage in cleaning reservoirs at the place as four out of the eight reservoirs are already cleaned and are in full operatational state.
"With the cleaaning of reservoir and replacement of four out of the eight filters, water supply has already improved within Minna township but we are not yet satisfied we want to make sure that every part of Niger has 24 hours water supply by the year 2020."
Vatsa explained that before the end of the year, more than 60 percent of people living in Minna and its environs will have frequent water supply saying that it will be rationed to pave way for all to get water at least 12 hours a day.
"We shall make sure that water gets to everybody linked with Niger State Water Board as we have concluded plans to continue to supply water even on bases of rationing on fixed hourly bases in Minna so that water reaches every home on daily bases."
Vatsa also gave reasons why water supply had reduced over the years as the increase in population in the state.
"At the time these facilities were put in place some 25 years ago, the number of people in the state had not increased to this number but now that the influx of people has increased because of the Federal Capital Territory, water can hardly go round consumers so we will do all we can to make sure that in the near future we expand the place," he said.
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