By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar, Katsina Times, Wednesday, January 8, 2025

The Katsina State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (STOWASSA), under the leadership of its Director-General, Alhaji Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba, has inaugurated committees to monitor water supply projects across seven local government areas. This significant initiative, implemented under the state’s "National Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program (NG-SURWASH)," will cost over ₦10 billion and aims to improve water supply and sanitation in the state.

Alhaji Dankaba announced that work would commence immediately after the end-of-year holiday, as the government has already paid 40% of the project costs to contractors. He urged all stakeholders to adhere to guidelines to ensure the success of the projects.

The committees comprise local government chairpersons, APC party leaders, youth and women leaders, STOWASSA officials, and community representatives from the areas targeted by the projects.

The scope of the projects includes constructing new water pipelines, upgrading old ones, and repairing damaged systems in local governments such as Kankara, Charanchi, Funtua, Kafur, Batagarawa, Daura, and Baure.

A central committee has been established to ensure equity across the state’s three senatorial districts. Members include Chairman Alhaji Rabiu Gambo Bakori, Secretary Yusuf Abdulkadir Nasarawa, engineers, design experts, and other technical professionals.

• Katsina District (Katsina, Batagarawa, and Charanchi LGAs):

  • Batagarawa LGA: Chairman, Hon. Bala Batagarawa; Women Leader, Haire Musa Ibrahim, and 14 other members.
  • Charanchi LGA: Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Sani; Women Leader, Hajiya Zainab Ahmad, and 10 other members.

• Daura District (Daura and Baure LGAs):

  • Daura LGA: Chairman, Hon. Bala Musa Daura; Women Leader, Hajiya Sa’adatu Nahabu, and 17 other members.
  • Baure LGA: Chairman, Hon. Murtala Adamu; Women Leader, Maryam Shitu, and 11 other members.

• Funtua District (Funtua, Kafur, and Kankara LGAs):

  • Funtua LGA: Chairman, Hon. Lawal Sani; Women Leader, Talatu Rabi’u, and 16 other members.
  • Kafur LGA: Chairman, Hon. Garba Kanya; Women Leader, Gaje Usman, and 11 other members.
  • Kankara LGA: Chairman, Hon. Anas Isah; Women Leader, and 11 other members.

During the inauguration ceremony at the Service to Humanity Hall in Katsina, STOWASSA Director-General Alhaji Dankaba urged all committees and stakeholders to work diligently to ensure the success of this critical initiative. He also commended Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda for his unwavering support for the state’s development.

This program underscores the state government’s commitment to providing clean water to its residents while promoting environmental sanitation and public health.