The Sokoto State Government, on Tuesday, said it has earmarked over N6 billion to revamp the 40-year-old Sokoto Waterworks and improve a steady water supply in Sokoto metropolis and its environs.

The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Aminu Iyan Sokoto, made this disclosure, saying the renovation became necessary because the water supply facilities were non-functional when inherited from the immediate past administration in 2023.

“We inherited an almost dead waterworks, which has now been completely turned around for the better, courtesy of the tremendous and invaluable strides of our Governor,” he said, adding that the goal is to ensure no resident of Sokoto city and its environs lacks adequate potable water 24 hours a day.

The Commissioner further explained that the administration has been executing numerous urban, rural, and semi-urban water schemes, noting that “most of them have since been fully revived across the state.”

Alhaji Iyan Sokoto said the administration has already completed and fully energised 31 solar-powered boreholes across Sokoto metropolis and its environs.

He added that the measure is to ensure a 24-hour water supply and augment the often erratic supply from the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO).

The General Manager, Sokoto State Water Board, Engr. Aminu Haruna Mika’ilu, said Gov. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto has embarked on the installation of a 4.2-megawatt solar power project to boost water supply.

According to him, all equipment needed for the project has been shipped to Nigeria and transported to Sokoto.

“This is to ensure 24-hour power supply to the water intake, treatment, and distribution facilities,” he said.

The General Manager added that the equipment includes two giant lithium batteries and inverters, while the control room has been completed.

Engr. Aminu Haruna Mika’ilu said construction of pillars for the installation of no fewer than 10,000 solar panels is ongoing smoothly.

He also disclosed that a proposal to rehabilitate and replace the decades-old water supply machines and other related accessories is receiving urgent attention from Governor Ahmad Aliyu.

Also, the Water Resources Commissioner said all existing boreholes have been fully revived, while others are being upgraded to solar power.

“Some have been commissioned while several others are in the pipeline to be inaugurated,” he said.