By Jabir Ridwan
The Kebbi State Government has successfully restored operations at the Birnin Kebbi waterworks, promising residents a steady and uninterrupted water supply starting Tuesday.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, confirmed the development while briefing journalists at the facility on Monday.
He noted that the waterworks had been fully reticulated and water was already being pumped into the main reservoir for onward distribution across the state capital.
“We have been on site for several days monitoring the process, and I am pleased to inform the public that water supply to residents in Birnin Kebbi will resume tomorrow,” he stated.
Governor Nasir Idris had earlier set up a task force to oversee the speedy rehabilitation of the waterworks.
The committee comprises the SSG, Commissioner for Information and Culture Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, Ministry of Water Resources officials, security agencies, and technical staff from the Kebbi State Water Board.
According to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, Alhaji Isah Arzika, revealed that engineers discovered a major burst at the Dukku waterworks shortly after a lifting operation five days ago.
Arzika explained that the pumping machines had been submerged before engineers could intervene, but swift action was taken to shut down operations and limit damage. New pumps were quickly sourced and deployed to evacuate flooded sections, while a team of engineers remains on site to dry and test the affected equipment.
The government’s timely intervention is expected to restore normalcy to water distribution in Birnin Kebbi.