Reactivating the 95-year-old Challawa Water Treatment Plant is part of the Kano State Government’s initiatives to improve the state capital’s water supply.

The state’s first water treatment plant was constructed in 1930, under the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero, and was initially intended to serve Kano City.

Alhaji Garba Ahmed Bichi, the State Water Board’s managing director, revealed this while giving a tour of the plant’s facilities in Challawa, which is close to Kano.

He noted that the facility, which previously supplied 20 million litres of water daily to parts of the city, including Dorayi, Kabuga, BUK, Janguza Army Barracks, and Kofar Famfo, had been lying idle for eight years due to neglect by the previous administration.

“Due to years of abandonment, the plant suffered extensive vandalism. Hoodlums looted vital components such as pipes, raw water pumps, and electrical starters, crippling its operations,” Bichi explained.

He said the situation had significantly contributed to water shortages in several parts of the city.

Also, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Haruna Doguwa, said the government would require $3.5 million to replace the stolen equipment and restore the plant to full functionality.

Doguwa revealed that the government had already placed orders for new equipment to facilitate the reactivation process.

While inspecting the twin Gwauron Dutse water tanks, the commissioner criticised the vandalism of vital facilities, such as valves, pipes, and ventilators, situated atop Gwauron Dutse Hill.

He claimed that the looting had worsened the state’s water supply problems, particularly in areas of Kano city.

Source: TheWill

Image Credit: Nairaland