Niger State has on Monday said that only 42 per cent of areas are linked up to water supply in Minna, the state capital.
Commissioner of Water Resources and Dam Development, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman said as the world marks World Water Day, that about 58 per cent of people living in Minna, the state Capital, still lack water supply.
The Commissioner however said that the lack of water supply to many homes in Minna metropolis is worrisome despite the efforts and resources being put in place by the Niger state government to ensure the availability of water for people across the state.
While addressing Journalists in Minna to commemorate World Water Day, Suleiman said that the Ministry has however made some giant strides in improving water supply from 17 per cent of the populace to 42 per cent adding that the capacity utilization of the state water board has increased to 50 per cent.
According to him “We have been working round the clock to get water for the people. Currently, we are supplying water to 42 per cent of areas in Minna that are linked up to the water supply. We know that there are areas that are not yet linked up to water supply but we are making it our mandate to improve water supply in the state capital and across the state.”
The Commissioner however lamented that a lot of people do not value water in the state as they are careless in taking care of the service pipes that connect water to homes.
“Service pipes are usually meant for the people to manage but we often take over in repairing most of these service pipes that get burst. Our main challenge is inadequate reporting. The society is so careless in caring about water supplies but they are also the same society that yearns and laments about lack of water supply.’
Speaking about the theme of the 2021 World Water Day, ‘Valuing Water’, Suleiman noted that valuing water entails valuing water sources, natural water resources, ecosystems, water infrastructure, water services, sanitation and health services.
He said that the state government is adopting the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach that will reflect and balance a diverse range of interests, including households, agriculture, industry, business and the natural environment.
The Commissioner reiterated the determination of the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello to provide safe drinkable water to every home in the state.
