Niger plans improved community water supply

JULY 12, 2013 

Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Mailafia

NIGER State Government on Thursday said it had improved the supply of potable water supply to most communities in the state even as the government advised consumers to assist in the policing of water installations across the state.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Hajia Hadiza Abdullahi who said this at the end of the state executive council meeting, said government was also partnering with the United States of America-based Project Development Integrated Company on the development of water schemes to boost water supply within the towns and villages in the state.

Though, the commissioner did not elaborate on the partnership agreement, she however said with the expertise of the company, water supply in the state would improve tremendously within a short period.

According to Abdullahi, part of the reform carried out in the water sector in the state is the reticulation of un-serviced areas, like Bosso and the Zarumai Estates in Minna as well as commencement of work on the treatment plants at the Kuta and Gusoro treatment plants.

She added that work on the two projects would be completed within six weeks.

She explained that about N17m was spent on the re-reticulation of the Bosso and Type ‘B’ quarters, saying the board had also sunk six boreholes at the New Talba Housing Estate in the outskirt of the state capital.

Abdullahi said epileptic electricity supply and inadequate financing were some of the challenges facing the Ministry.

The commissioner revealed that the water board was undergoing a “reformation”, leading to the disengagement of some staff while others had left service voluntarily or on retirement.

She however advised members of the public not to have any financial dealing with any of the water board staff either in the payment of water rates or for reticulation of new areas and repair of damaged pipelines.