Following Sokoto residents’ outcry against an acute water scarcity that has disrupted daily life in the state capital and surrounding communities, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Aminu Abdullahi, during a press briefing on Thursday, outlined the multiple challenges behind the scarcity and detailed the government’s response to mitigate the situation.
According to the commissioner, one of the critical issues contributing to the water crisis is the theft of power generators used in water production facilities across the state.
“The stolen generators have left major pumping stations unable to operate, significantly reducing water output. You will recall that it was one of the reasons why the state government inaugurated an investigative panel,” Abdullahi said.
He further revealed that many of the water generating and distribution machines currently in use are obsolete and long overdue for replacement. “Some of these machines have been in operation for decades and are no longer efficient or reliable,” he noted.
The commissioner also cited poor electricity supply as a major factor affecting water production. “Most of our facilities depend on public power to pump water. Unfortunately, irregular electricity has made this increasingly difficult,” he explained.
In addition to infrastructure challenges, Sokoto’s growing population has placed immense pressure on the state’s limited water resources. “The demand for potable water has increased significantly over the years, and our current infrastructure is struggling to keep up,” Abdullahi said.
Efforts to address the crisis
Despite the challenges, the commissioner assured the public that the state government, in collaboration with relevant federal agencies, is working hard to restore normal water supply.
He said the statement government will, in the next three months, inaugurate a 40-million-gallon-per-day project.
Other key interventions include the reactivation of critical substations such as the Asare and More facilities, which are expected to boost water pumping capacity once fully operational.
The federal government, through the Sokoto Rima Basin Development Authority, is also set to begin the desilting of the Goronyo Dam — a major water source for the state.
“This process will increase the dam’s storage capacity and improve water availability for treatment and distribution,” the commissioner stated.
Abdullahi appealed for public patience and cooperation as the government intensifies efforts to restore full water supply. He emphasized the need for community vigilance to prevent vandalism and theft of public infrastructure.
“Water is a shared resource and responsibility. We must all play our part in protecting and sustaining it,” he concluded.
