By Faridat Salifu
The Katsina State Government has partnered with the World Bank on the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) program in a substantial effort to promote sustainable development and public health.
This ambitious N20 billion initiative aims to address long-standing water shortages and improve sanitation across Katsina State, benefiting both rural and urban communities.
Announcing the partnership, Katsina’s Commissioner for Water Resources, Bishir Gambo Saulawa, emphasized the pressing need for clean water access in the state, where water scarcity has affected public health and economic opportunities.
The state id to contribute N5 billion, while the remaining N15 billion is to be funded through the SURWASH program.
The first phase of the project will cover 10 local government areas and is expected to be completed in six months.
Plans include the construction of 40 solar-powered boreholes equipped with 8,000-liter tanks in rural villages, along with additional boreholes and hand-pump wells in another 50 villages.
The project will also provide 20 communities with boreholes connected to newly built toilets, improving sanitation and reducing the spread of water-borne diseases.
Officials from the Katsina State Water Board, RUWASSA, STOWASSA, and SEPA shared further insights, highlighting how the initiative will bring reliable water access to communities that have long relied on inconsistent and sometimes unsafe sources.
Beyond alleviating water scarcity, the project is expected to reduce the prevalence of diseases like cholera and dysentery, which are common in areas with poor water and sanitation infrastructure.
This collaboration marks a major milestone for Katsina State in its efforts to promote sustainable growth, improve public health, and enhance the quality of life for its residents.
As implementation begins, the project stands as a model of how partnerships with international organizations can bring transformative change to local communities.