Sokoto water scarcity: ‘We’ve rectified problems, restored supply’ – Commissioner

The problems that resulted in water scarcity in Sokoto state have been rectified and water supply restored, Sokoto state government has said.

Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Umar Muhammad Bature who stated this while speaking on the development, said the water problem was caused by the deflation of the River Rima, the main source of water for the treatment plants as well as damage to the main electricity transformer that serves the treatment and pumping plants.

“There was an announcement on Thursday that we are having challenges pumping water from the old water works, and on Friday we had issues with transformer.”

He said the State Government sought the release of water from the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority while a new transformer was installed for the Water Board plants.

“Things have been restored, the water is flowing in and we are working,” he said.

The Commissioner disclosed that measures had been put in place to curb such situations, adding “Going forward, we won’t have such issues.”

He expressed the state government’s appreciation   to the people of the state for their patience and understanding throughout the period the problem lasted.

Bature, who described water supply as a social service, alleged that some people in the state tried to politicise the issues for personal gain.