IntercontinentalNewsReservoir: November 2025

Sunday, 30 November 2025

Kaduna SURWASH Team Pays High-Level Advocacy Visit to Emir of Zazzau, Seeks Stronger Collaboration on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

By Stella Kabruk

In its drive to deepen stakeholder engagement and strengthen collaboration for improved service delivery, the Kaduna State Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme has paid a high-level advocacy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli.

The delegation was led by the Honourable Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure, Architect Ibrahim Hamza Soba, who informed the Emir that the Kaduna State Government has approved major contracts for the rehabilitation of critical water treatment plants and booster stations. These include the 150, 50, and 10 million-liters-per-day facilities in Zaria, as well as others in Kaduna North, Kaduna South, and surrounding communities.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Ashiru Abdu Na Abdu, the Commissioner explained that Kaduna State Government under the leadership of His Excellency the Executive Governor, Senator Uba Sani is also undertaking a comprehensive review of laws governing water supply, sanitation, and waste management to enhance institutional capacity and ensure long-term sustainability of the water sector.

He noted that the administration inherited a severely distressed water system plagued by unpaid staff salaries, dilapidated facilities, and extremely low production levels. As part of efforts to stabilize operations, the government has cleared an eleven-month salary backlog owed to staff of the Kaduna State Water Corporation.

The Commissioner further revealed that the Government has regularized and integrated “cash work” staff into the formal civil service structure to promote accountability, improve workforce management, and enhance service delivery.

He added that the advocacy visit was intended to brief the Emir on the ongoing interventions across the WASH sector and to secure stronger community ownership and protection of water and sanitation facilities provided under SURWASH.

According to him, capacity utilization of the state’s water system was below 10 percent when the administration assumed office. However, with current interventions, production levels are projected to rise to nearly 70 percent by the first quarter of next year, Insha Allah.

Expressing concern over persistent vandalism of treatment plants, booster stations, power lines, and critical equipment, the Commissioner warned that such acts continue to undermine water supply and worsen the hardships faced by residents. He appealed to communities to safeguard water infrastructure and promptly report any suspicious activities.

In his response, the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, commended the Government's commitment to improving water supply but noted that weak enforcement and absence of punitive measures continue to encourage vandalism and destruction of public assets. He assured the delegation of the full support of the Zazzau Emirate Council, including intensified community sensitization and stronger collaboration to protect water installations and ensure that government investments yield sustainable benefits.

The Permanent Secretary was accompanied by the 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; the Managing Director of the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority, Mal. Sulaiman Ibrahim as well as other officials from the SURWASH Coordinating Unit and implementing agencies.

NSNCM seeks fulfilment of FG’s promise on two million electric tricycles

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

The Nineteen Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement (NSNCM) has appealed to the Federal Government to fulfil the promise of providing two million electric tricycles to its members who registered under the community transport initiative of the Presidential Campaign Council.

Dr. Auwal Abdullahi, National President of the movement, made the appeal at a news conference on Sunday in Kaduna.

He said the commitment was made through the National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NATOMORAS), an affiliate of NSNCM, during the 2023 election campaign.

According to him, the tricycles were to be distributed under the Community Transport Directorate, headed by the National President of NATOMORAS, Mr Usman Gwoza, who also serves as Director of Contact and Mobilisation of the NSNCM.

Abdullahi said members paid registration fees as instructed, after being informed that the Federal Government would cover 50 per cent of the cost while beneficiaries would pay the balance.

He said the money was paid through NATOMORAS to the Non-Governmental Association of Nigeria (NOGAS), which he described as a body engaged in poverty alleviation, skills acquisition and educational enhancement programmes.

The NSNCM president expressed concern that in spite the recent launch of electric tricycles in Abuja, none of the two million units promised to their members had been delivered.

He said the delay had sparked agitation among members, leading to arrests and alleged harassment of some leaders.

Abdullahi said the movement, comprising 598 registered associations across the 19 Northern states, was instrumental in mobilising voters for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections.

“We are supporters of President Tinubu. We campaigned and voted massively through the Community Transport Department of the Presidential Campaign Council. We are only asking that the promise made to our members be honoured,” he said.

He urged the President to direct the release of the tricycles to NATOMORAS for distribution to all registered beneficiaries.

Abdullahi warned that if there was no positive development by December 15, the movement would mobilise its over two million registered members for a peaceful protest to demand the fulfilment of the campaign pledge.

“No politician will want to joke with two million votes in 2027,” he said.