The Sokoto State Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi, says the state government is implementing various interventions to address water supply challenges in the state.
The commissioner disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Sokoto.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abdullahi spoke in reaction to remarks made by the governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto, Alhaji Mannir Dan’iya, on water supply in the state.
He said the government was aware of the challenges in the water sector and had embarked on major projects to address them.
According to him, the figures quoted in the 2026 Citizens Budget reflect projected appropriations for multi-year projects such as the ₦25 billion rehabilitation of Sokoto Township Water Works and ₦5 billion for solarisation.
Abdullahi noted that budget appropriation was different from cash releases, saying: “funds are released in phases based on project milestones, procurement processes, and available revenue.”
He explained that the ₦64.9 million reported in the first quarter of 2026 reflected early-stage mobilisation and consultancy payments, while further releases were being processed for the second and third quarters.
The commissioner said part of the concrete steps taken by the administration was the contract for the installation of 10,000 solar panels, expected to generate 4.2 megawatts at the Sokoto Water Works, which was awarded in May 2026.
“Site clearing candidate procurement are ongoing.
“The project is designed to reduce dependence on the national grid and enable the water works to power its pumps round the clock.
“Forty-two solar-powered boreholes have also been provided across the metropolis, including Tudun-Wada Gebe, Tudun-Wada Old Cemetery, Bazza Area, Dallatu Road, Lamido Adama Road, Kofar Atiku, and Shagari Close”.
According to him, six major water schemes at Tamaje, Old Airport, Gagi, Mana, Runjin Sambo, and Ruga Liman, with a combined capacity of 40 million gallons per day, are also at various stages of design, procurement, and rehabilitation.
He noted that the ₦14.1 billion figure represents the total projected cost of the projects and not money already spent.
The commissioner further said more than 120 kilometres of burst pipelines had been repaired across the Sokoto metropolis in the last 18 months, while new booster stations had been installed to improve water pressure in high-lying areas.
“Government understands the hardship of buying water at between ₦200 and ₦300 per 25-litre container, and that is precisely why we are investing in long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.
“Water is a fundamental right, not a campaign slogan. Therefore, Gov. Ahmed Aliyu’s administration will not politicise it”.
He said residents would begin to see measurable impact from the solarisation project and the six major schemes within the next 12 months.
The commissioner also called on Dan’iya and the ADC to join hands with the government in sensitising residents to protect water infrastructure and pay their water bills, rather than politicising the issue.
He assured that the government would continue to publish budget performance reports and invite stakeholders to inspect project sites.
