Umaru Maradun
Water scarcity has hit Gusau, the Zamfara state capital, and residents are having hard times while water vendors make bricks business.
Blueprint gathered that the scarcity was as a result of mechanical fault that developed at the pumping station.
Our correspondent also learnt that water vendors have raised the price of jerry can from N20 to N50.
Speaking on the development, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources, Alhaji Yusuf Usman Kaura, said the scarcity would soon be addressed as necessary repairs had been effected on the water-pumping machines.
He said in addition to the designated water pumps, the government had provided water tanks in strategic places for distribution of water to residents. According to him, rampant construction of water reservoirs has serious negative effects on the distribution of water to the larger population.
He said: “The ministry is fully aware of some residents that hijack the water being pumped for the consumption of general public in Gusau, the state capital, as some were reported to be using the water reservoir for commercial purposes.”
He said the ministry would soon embark on closure of reservoirs meant for commercial purposes.
