Sokoto to spend N7.6b to expand, rehabilitate water facilities

The Sokoto State Government says it has earmarked more than N 7.6 billion for the expansion and rehabilitation of some water schemes in the Sokoto metropolis and its environs in the 2014 budget.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Shehu Dalhatu, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Sokoto on Sunday, that the projects included the expansion of the existing 20-million gallons of water per day, Asare water project.

The commissioner explained that the expansion was aimed at doubling its capacity to 40 million gallons of water, per day.

'The project entails the sinking of eight ground boreholes, with all the accessories, including overhead tanks and reticulation,' he said.

Dalhatu added that the contracts for the projects would soon be awarded by the state government.

According to him, the combined capacity of the water facilities in the city, including the Asare water works, now stands at more than 52 million gallons of water, per day.

'Expectedly, when the expansion project is completed, their combined capacities is expected to rise to more than 92 million gallons per day.

'This will happily be above the current water demand of the city which averages at about 80 million gallons, per day,' he said.

The commissioner explained said that government had also earmarked N1.9 billion for the rehabilitation of some water treatment plants in the Sokoto metropolis.

He listed them to include the old water works, the Bi-water project, a new extension treatment plant and a new water scheme.