Musa Na-Allah, Sokoto
Sokoto State Government has unveiled plans to install a 4.2-megawatt solar-powered electricity system at the state waterworks to tackle the persistent water scarcity crippling the Sokoto metropolis and surrounding communities.
The initiative comes amid worsening shortages of potable water, caused by erratic power supply from the national grid, aging infrastructure, and a growing population driven by urban migration and the influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Commissioned in 1987, the Sokoto State Waterworks was designed to produce 23 million litres of water daily for fewer than one million residents.
Nearly four decades later, the facility has seen no major upgrade, even as the city’s population and water demand have more than tripled.
For many residents, water has become a daily struggle. In several parts of the city, a 30-litre jerrycan now costs between N200 and N230, while a full wheelbarrow load of 12 jerrycans sells for about N3,000.
The scarcity has turned water vending into a booming business, mostly dominated by “Buzaye” migrants from the Niger Republic, with some vendors reportedly earning as much as N9,000 daily.
Areas worst affected by the crisis include Kofar Marke, Gobirawa, Gidan Haki, Tsohuwar Kasuwa, Rijiyar Doruwa, Kofar Atiku, Tudun Wada, Kalfu, Bello Way, Emir Yahaya, and the Central Market, where an average household consumes about 250 litres of water daily.
A resident of Dutsin Asada, Alhaji Umar Shehu, lamented that the situation has persisted since the beginning of the year despite repeated complaints to the authorities.
“We made several attempts to reach the committee set up by the governor to address the issue, but nothing has changed. The matter has been politicised,” he said.
Responding to public concern, the General Manager of the Sokoto State Water Board, Engineer Aminu Haruna Mikailu Sokoto, said the state government has embarked on a comprehensive overhaul of the water supply system.
During an inspection tour of the project site, he disclosed that Governor Ahmad Aliyu had ordered the immediate rehabilitation of faulty pumping machines and related facilities at the main water intake along Kware Road.
“We are aware of the hardship residents are facing, and the governor is deeply concerned,” Mikailu stated. “Three of the major pumping machines have already been repaired to restore water to the main distribution systems.
“This is a temporary measure while we implement lasting solutions.”
According to him, the installation of a 4.2MW solar power system at the waterworks will ensure uninterrupted electricity for water treatment and distribution, significantly reducing dependence on the unstable national grid.
He further explained that the state’s new Water Policy Framework aims for a 100 percent rehabilitation of the supply system within a year, following detailed feasibility studies to identify areas for new equipment installation.
“At present, we are operating at an appreciable capacity. But with this solar initiative, we expect to restore full functionality of our dams, machinery, and distribution network before the end of this administration,” he assured.
The GM appealed for public patience, emphasizing that the government is determined to fulfill Governor Aliyu’s campaign promise of providing clean and safe water for all communities.
It will be recalled that about three years ago, the Goronyo Dam, which supplies over 60 percent of Sokoto’s water needs, nearly dried up, severely affecting irrigation and domestic water supply.
Many households resorted to boreholes and shallow wells, most of which failed due to the deep water table, lying more than 130 metres below the surface.
As the government intensifies its intervention, public health experts have warned of possible outbreaks of waterborne diseases, as many residents still rely on unsafe sources such as streams and locally-dug reservoirs for cooking and other domestic uses.
