Emir of Zazzau, Kaduna SURWASH Team Commit to Stronger Collaboration, Raise Concerns on Vandalism and Weak Enforcement
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme has secured renewed commitments from the Zazzau Emirate Council following a high-level advocacy visit to His Royal Highness, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli.
The visit, led by the Honourable Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure, Architect Ibrahim Hamza Soba, focused on strengthening collaboration and addressing pressing concerns undermining water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in the state.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ashiru Abdu Na Abdu, the Commissioner reaffirmed the Kaduna State Government’s commitment to restoring and expanding water access.
He announced that the government has approved major rehabilitation works on critical water treatment plants and booster stations—including the 150, 50, and 10 million-liters-per-day facilities in Zaria, and others across Kaduna North, Kaduna South, and surrounding communities.
He further pledged that under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, the state is reviewing outdated laws governing water supply, sanitation, and waste management to strengthen enforcement, institutional capacity, and sector sustainability.
The Commissioner raised serious concerns over the “severely distressed water system” inherited by the administration, marked by unpaid staff salaries, dilapidated infrastructure, and production levels that had dropped below 10 percent.
He noted that the government has cleared an 11-month salary backlog owed to workers of the Kaduna State Water Corporation and has regularized “cash work” staff to promote accountability and better workforce management.
He projected that ongoing interventions will raise water production to nearly 70 percent by the first quarter of next year, but cautioned that vandalism remains a major threat to achieving this target.
The Commissioner warned that recurring destruction of treatment plants, booster stations, power lines, and essential equipment continues to cripple water supply and heighten the suffering of residents. He appealed for stronger community protection of public infrastructure and timely reporting of suspicious activities.
In response, the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, commended the state government’s efforts but raised a key concern: the lack of strict enforcement and punitive measures against vandals. He noted that the absence of deterrence has emboldened individuals who repeatedly sabotage public assets.
The Emir pledged the full cooperation of the Zazzau Emirate Council to curb vandalism and promote community ownership of water facilities. He committed to intensifying community sensitization, mobilizing traditional structures, and working closely with the government to ensure that its investments translate into sustainable and equitable access to clean water.
The visit also drew commitments from heads of key agencies who accompanied the delegation, including SURWASH Programme Coordinator, Engr. Esau A. Ambinjah; Director General of the Kaduna State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Engr. Mubarak Ladan; Managing Director of the Kaduna State Water Corporation, Engr. Kabir Ahmad Rufa’i; Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Water Regulatory Commission, Dr. Bashir Dogora; and the Managing Director of the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority, Mal. Sulaiman Ibrahim.
