Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has announced plans to achieve 100 per cent water supply coverage across the state by late 2026, following major investments in water infrastructure.
The governor said water production has increased from eight per cent to over 30 per cent within two and a half years of his administration, attributing the improvement to a comprehensive overhaul of neglected facilities.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) at the Government House in Kaduna, Sani described the water sector he inherited as being in “deep distress,” with dormant treatment plants and damaged distribution networks.
To reverse the decline, the state government has committed between ₦93bn and ₦100bn from 2024 to 2027 to restore and modernise water infrastructure.
According to the governor, over ₦5bn has already been spent replacing vandalised and damaged pipes in Zaria and Kafanchan, while an additional ₦10bn is being invested in critical pipeline replacements in Kaduna metropolis.
He also disclosed a ₦1.4bn investment in water purification chemicals and confirmed that ₦1.3bn in outstanding electricity bills had been cleared to ensure uninterrupted water pumping.
Beyond infrastructure, Sani said the welfare of water sector workers had been prioritised, with ₦900m in salary arrears cleared and land allocated for a mass housing project for water professionals in Millennium City.
To ensure long-term sustainability, the governor announced plans to establish branches of the NWRI in Zaria and Kachia to strengthen manpower development in the sector.
Earlier, NWRI Director-General, Dr Abduljalal Danbaba, said the institute would support Kaduna State through capacity-building programmes and subsidised training, noting its role in coordinating Nigeria’s river basin authorities and advising the federal government on water resource development.
