The Bauchi Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has commenced the execution of water projects valued at N20 billion to boost water supply in Bauchi metropolis.
The Managing Director of the State Water Corporation, Aminu Aliyu -Gital, who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Tuesday, said that all the projects were ongoing.
Aliyu -Gital said that the projects, which included the rehabilitation of Gubi dam as well as the rehabilitation and expansion of Gubi water treatment plant, were aimed at upgrading water supply in the metropolis.
He listed the laying of 1,000-millimetre diameter transmission mains from Gubi dam to Warinje reservoir and construction of seven million-litre reservoir at Buzaye Hill as part of the projects.
He further said that the distribution of 150-kilometre pipelines within the Bauchi metropolitan would be completed this year.
He said that the Worl Bank would contribute 90 per cent of the cost of the projects, while the state would provide 10 per cent as its counterpart fund.
Aliyu-Gital put the number of beneficiaries of the projects at 707,000 while appealing to the benefiting communities to endeavour to always pay their monthly water bills.
He said that the corporation would not condone deliberate default in the payment of bills.
He said the corporation targetted N20 million monthly revenue from water.
“We hardly generate N3million and our monthly expenditure in procurement of water treatment chemicals, maintenance and other services also gulp N85million,” he said.
Aliyu-Gital commended the state government for its commitment and determination toward improving water supply in the state.
According to him, the governor has been very supportive in the ongoing projects.