The Kebbi state government has embarked on the rehabilitation and conversion of boreholes from electricity to solar power to ease water supply.
The state has been experiencing unstable power supply for several weeks as a result of the collapse of five power towers transmitting electricity from Kainji to Kebbi, now under repairs.
Addressing journalists in his office in Birnin Kebbi, Thursday, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Bello Abdullahi Ka’oje, said Governor Nasir Idris has provided necessary wherewithal to the ministry for the treatment and supply of water to all inhabitants in the state.
“The governor has given substantial amount of money to buy diesel to complement the operation of water treatment centres, in view of the fact that such plants need a lot of energy.
“He has also approved 2nd quarter purchase of chemicals for water treatment.
“On his approval, four units of boreholes have been sunk recently at Bayan-Kara market and old garage in Birnin Kebbi, while similar scheme is a recurring decimal in all parts of the state towards ensuring regularity in water supply.
“In the state capital , Birnin Kebbi, 50 boreholes have been rehabilitated and converted into solar powered,” the commissioner stated.
Bello Ka’oje added that the incumbent administration of Governor Idris has been actively involved in partnership with global organisations on water and hygiene to improve the health and livelihood of both urban and rural communities.
“At present, Kebbi is in partnership with World Bank assisted programmes of: Sustainable Urban Rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene, SURWASH; Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria, SPIN Project; Agro Climatic Resilience in Semi AridLandscapes Project, ACRESAL; as well as UNICEF assisted programme of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH.
“Kebbi government has fulfilled its obligation on counterpart funding while communities designated for the schemes are already benefitting,” Ka’oje said.
He expressed delight about the UNICEF programme on open defecation which has been implemented in Arewa, Shanga and Bagudo local government areas.
“We are happy to announce that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and UNICEF have declared Bagudo and Shanga free of open defecation, while the feat is soon achievable in Arewa,” he said