By Philip Yatai restore

The Society for Water and Sanitation has called on the Kaduna State Government to re-establish the Ministry for Water Resources for effective coordination and delivery of quality water services in the state.

The society made the call at a press conference in Kaduna on Wednesday, as part of activities to mark the 2022 World Water Day with the theme, “Ground Water: Making the Invisible Visible”.

NAN recalls that the Kaduna State Government had in 2019 reduced the ministry to a department under the Ministry for Public Works and Infrastructure as part of its reform agenda.

But the Society’s Coordinator, Rev. Kuzasuwat Peter, who addressed the press, argued that reducing the ministry to a department was counterproductive to improving water supply in the state.

Peter expressed concern over what he described as the “progressive and unabated emergence of dry zones” (areas with no water supply) in both the urban and small towns in the state.

He said that available record shows that 65 per cent of areas that use to have water currently do not have water.

He identified some of the areas to as Rigasa, Unguwan Television, Unguwan Romi, and most parts of Unguwan Rimi, Unguwan Sarki, Mando, Gabasawa, Kawo, and Unguwan Boro among others.

“We are also concerned that the multi-billion Naira Zaria Water Works is yet to run up to 50 per cent capacity, hence the emergence of dry zones in Zaria and environs”.

“We are also appealing to the state government to fast track the completion of the Birnin Gwari Water Supply scheme to ease access to clean water supply in the area,” he said.

According to him, restoring the ministry for water resources would ensure effective coordination of all water related agencies such as the Kaduna State Water Corporation, RUWASSA, and Kaduna State Water Regulatory Commission.

He commended the state government for the huge investment on water infrastructure including rehabilitations and maintenance of water facilities across the state.

He also commended the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) for increasing access to clean and safe water in rural communities.

Peter particularly commended the agency for the provision of about 365 solar-powered boreholes and 3,451 hand pump boreholes across the state.

He also lauded the plan to create the Department of Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation and Department of Urban Sanitation to improve water supply and hygiene practices in the state.

He said that despite the huge investment in water infrastructure in the state, there was still the problem of dwindling water supply across the state and urged the government to address the issue.

“We, therefore, call on the management of Kaduna State Water Corporation (KADSWAC) to improve water supply to residents in urban centres.

“Citizens can only pay for what they consume. Give us water, and we don’t mine the stress of payment,” he said.

The coordinator explained that the United Nation had set aside March 22 of every year as World Water Day to highlight the importance of fresh water and advocate for sustainable management of freshwater resources.