Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has stepped up its defence of its water-sector investments, dismissing allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, that the administration has failed to address the persistent water crisis in the state.
The government, through the Ministry of Water Resources, said it was implementing a comprehensive intervention programme combining emergency repairs with long-term investments designed to restore reliable water supply across Sokoto metropolis and other parts of the state.
In a rejoinder signed by the Commissioner, the ministry said several major water projects were currently at different stages of procurement, rehabilitation, construction and implementation, insisting that the scale of ongoing interventions did not support claims that the government had neglected the sector.
It specifically clarified that the N25 billion earmarked for the rehabilitation of the Sokoto Township Water Works, as well as the N5 billion provision for solarisation, contained in the 2026 Citizens Budget, represented budgetary appropriations for multi-year projects and should not be construed as money already released and spent.
“Government acknowledges that the water sector requires massive investment. However, budget appropriation is not the same as cash backing. Releases are made in phases based on project milestones, procurement processes and available revenue,” the ministry said.
According to the government, the N64.09 million recorded as expenditure in the first quarter of 2026 represented initial mobilisation and consultancy payments, while additional releases were being processed for the second and third quarters in accordance with procurement and implementation schedules.
A major component of the intervention, the ministry said, is the solarisation of the Sokoto Water Works, for which a contract was awarded in May 2026 for the installation of 10,000 solar panels with a projected generation capacity of 4.2 megawatts.
“Site clearing and procurement are ongoing. The project is designed to reduce dependence on the national grid and provide the power required to operate the water pumps on a 24-hour basis,” it stated.
The government also disclosed that 42 solar-powered boreholes had been provided across Sokoto metropolis, including facilities at Tudun-Wada Gebe, Tudun-Wada Old Cemetery, Bazza Area, Dallatu Road, Lamido Adama Road, Kofar Atiku and Shagari Close, among other locations.
Beyond the metropolis, the ministry said six major water schemes, Tamaje, Old Airport, Gagi, Mana, Runjin Sambo and Ruga Liman, were undergoing design, procurement or rehabilitation, with a combined projected capacity of 40 million gallons of water per day.
It further explained that the N14.1 billion associated with the six schemes represented their combined projected cost and was not an amount already expended, stressing that funding and execution would proceed in phases as individual projects advanced.
On immediate measures to mitigate the crisis, the government said more than 120 kilometres of damaged and burst pipelines had been repaired across Sokoto metropolis in the last 18 months, while additional booster stations had been installed to improve water pressure, particularly in areas located on higher elevations.
The ministry, however, acknowledged the burden confronting residents who are sometimes compelled to pay between ₦200 and ₦300 for a 25-litre container of water, saying the situation underscored the urgency of the ongoing interventions.
“Government understands the hardship of buying water at ₦200 to ₦300 per 25 litres. That is precisely why we are investing in long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes,” the ministry said.
It maintained that the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu regarded access to potable water as a priority, arguing that the crisis should be addressed through sustained investment rather than reduced to political exchanges during the campaign season.
“Water is a fundamental right, not a campaign slogan. Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration will not politicize it,” the ministry declared.
The government said the solarization and reticulation projects were expected to strengthen water availability, including during the dry season, while measurable improvements from the major interventions were expected to become evident within the next 12 months.
It also pledged to continue publishing budget performance reports and invited stakeholders, including political actors and members of the public, to visit project sites to verify the level of implementation.
The ministry further appealed to residents to protect public water infrastructure and pay applicable water bills, saying community cooperation would be critical to sustaining the water supply system once the ongoing investments are completed.
