The Kano State Government has ordered the immediate suspension of the Manager of the Thomas Regional Water Scheme over alleged sabotage of efforts to address water scarcity in the state.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Muhammad-Hashim, on Monday.
“The suspension is pending investigation into alleged sabotage and vandalism of facilities put in place by the government to end the lingering water scarcity crisis in the state.
“After several project inspections and interventions aimed at rehabilitating all waterworks in Kano State, we discovered that a project completed about three months ago, which is yet to be commissioned, had already been looted.
“Today, I visited the Thomas and Ghari Regional Water Schemes, and what I found was deeply troubling. Facilities meant to serve three local government areas have remained non-functional for several years. We found almost all electrical wiring stripped from generators and pumps.
“A power project completed just three months ago in Thomas, which is yet to be commissioned, had already been looted. Furthermore, security personnel hired to protect the plant were found farming on its grounds.
“I have ordered the immediate suspension of the scheme’s Manager pending investigation. Where criminal culpability is established, we will pursue full legal action.
“Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf is fully committed to restoring Kano’s water infrastructure. We are currently rehabilitating Chalawa and Tamburawa, and we will ensure that all regional water schemes are fully revitalised,” he said.
While the government continues efforts to revive these water schemes, the commissioner called on the general public to protect public assets.
“These public assets belong to all of us, and we must all protect them,” he said.
