The Kano government has ordered the immediate suspension of the manager of the Thomas Regional Water Scheme over alleged sabotage of the government’s effort to address water scarcity.
The suspension was announced in a statement by the Commissioner of Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Dahiru Muhammad-Hashim, on Monday.
“The suspension is pending investigation into alleged sabotage and vandalism of facilities put in place by the government to end the lingering crisis of water scarcity in the state. After a series of project inspections and interventions aimed at rehabilitating all waterworks in Kano state to address water scarcity, only to discover the project completed about three months ago, which is yet to be commissioned, had already been looted.
“Today, I visited the Thomas and Ghari Regional Water Schemes, and what I found was deeply troubling. Facilities meant to serve three local government areas have remained non-functional for several years. We found almost all of the electrical wiring stripped from the generators and pumps.
“A power project completed just three months ago in Thomas, which is yet to be commissioned, had already been looted. Furthermore, security personnel hired to protect the plant were found farming on its grounds. I have ordered the immediate suspension of the scheme’s Manager pending an investigation. Where criminal culpability is established, we will pursue full legal action,” said the Kano government.
The statement added, “Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf is fully committed to restoring Kano’s water infrastructure. We are currently rehabilitating Chalawa and Tamburawa, and we will ensure that all regional water schemes are fully revitalised.”
While the government sustains its efforts to revive these water schemes, he called on the public to do its part to protect public assets.
“These public assets belong to all of us, and we all must protect them,” the statement added.