Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has inaugurated the upgraded Matazu Semi-Urban Water Supply Scheme, with a combined storage capacity of about 365,000 litres, as part of efforts to expand access to potable water across the state.
The upgraded facility, located in Matazu Local Government Area of the state, comprises 17 wells, a 350,000-litre ground storage tank and a 15,000-litre elevated tank.
Unveiling the water project Wednesday in Matazu, Governor Radda said the project was a major intervention aimed at improving water supply and enhancing the quality of life of residents of Matazu and surrounding communities.
He recalled that the Matazu water scheme was established in 1996 with inadequate storage capacity, but his administration had upgraded the facility to increase its production and distribution capacity to tackle water shortage in the area.
He said the scheme had also been equipped with solar-powered facilities to reduce reliance on public electricity supply and ensure more reliable water production and distribution.
According to Governor Radda, the investment, which runs into billions of naira, underscores his administration’s commitment to providing essential infrastructure and improving public services across the state.
He, however, urged residents and community leaders to take ownership of the facility and protect it against damage and misuse to ensure its sustainability.
“These are modern water facilities that require proper care and effective community monitoring. I therefore appeal to the people of Matazu to take ownership of this project and ensure that it continues to serve the community for many years to come,” he said.
He also assured the people of Matazu that the state government would consider their requests, particularly those relating to infrastructure and development.
The governor commended residents of Matazu local government for their contributions to efforts aimed at improving security, stressing that peace and stability remained critical to sustainable development.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Mannir Ayuba Sullubawa, said the Matazu project was part of the state government’s broader programme to rehabilitate and expand water infrastructure.
He disclosed that about eight locations had been selected for additional water works projects under the administration’s ongoing efforts to improve access to potable water.
He appealed to beneficiary communities to protect and properly maintain the facilities, adding that community ownership was essential to sustaining government investments in the water sector.
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