The Katsina State Government and Mutual Commitment Company (MCC) on Wednesday signed a contract agreement worth over N31 billion for the completion of the Zobe Water Supply Project (Phase 1B).
Gov. Dikko Radda signed the agreement on behalf of the state government in Kafin-Soli, Kankia Local Government Area, while the Group Managing Director of MCC, Mr Liu Zhaolong, signed for the company.
Radda said the project, when completed, would provide clean and safe water to six local government areas of Dutsin-Ma, Kankia, Charanchi, Rimi, Batagarawa and Katsina.
He explained that the water transmission would run from Dutsin-Ma to Karofi, then to Radda, Kafin-Soli, Tafashiya and Kankia town.
Other routes include Kafin-Soli to Koda, Charanchi, Yan’albasa, and communities along the axis up to Tasharbala, as well as from Batagarawa to Katsina metropolis.
The governor said he had directed the Ministry of Water Resources to commence the process of paying 40 per cent of the total contract sum to the contractor.
Radda assured that all benefiting communities would enjoy reliable access to clean and safe water supply on completion of the project.
He said his administration conceived development as a holistic pursuit of human well-being, noting that Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) were at the heart of his “Building Your Future” agenda.
He added that the government was also rehabilitating major dams; including Ajiwa, Danja and Sabuwa to ensure effective and sustainable water supply.
In his remarks, MCC’s Managing Director, Zhaolong, said the project had a two-year completion timeline but assured that the company would deliver ahead of schedule.
He said the project would enhance socio-economic development across the benefiting communities.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr Bashir Gambo, commended Gov. Radda for prioritising access to safe and clean water, saying governance is a service to the people.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Katsina State Water Board, Dr Tukur Tingilin, said the Zobe Dam water treatment plant was commissioned in 1983 to provide water to about half of the state’s population and for irrigation purposes.
He said the project had suffered chronic neglect, underfunding and abandonment by previous administrations.
“We have witnessed various attempts to revive the project over the years, but lack of funding made contractors abandon it repeatedly.
“Today marks a new beginning as Gov. Radda signs the agreement to complete the work,” Tingilin said.
