Rains bring succour as Zaria residents await ‘El-Rufa’i’s water’

Weeks after Governor Nasir el-Rufa’i of Kaduna State commissioned the Zaria water project, the taps are still dry.
In an elaborate ceremony, the Kaduna State Government, on Saturday, May 27, 2017, commissioned the Zaria water project, which has been ongoing for many decades.
Many residents believed that the perennial water scarcity that has been bedevilling the ancient city would come to an end from that day.
This is largely due to the fact that long before the formal commissioning, water pipes that covered several kilometres were laid in almost all parts of the ancient city.
Similarly, the vigour the El-Rufa’i administration gave the project made residents to nickname it ‘El-Rufa’i water.’ However, weeks after the commissioning ceremony, taps in most areas of Zaria and Sabon Gari local governments have remained dry.
This development made residents to voice their concern, saying the government shouldn’t have been in a hurry to carry out an elaborate commissioning ceremony, being aware that taps would not run afterward.
This is why many residents believe that it may take months for residents to start enjoying the ‘El-Rufa’i water.’ “As a layman, I think after the completion of the treatment plant, construction of reservoirs and burying of the main pipes, households would be connected.
Very soon, connection to households would commence, where residents would be linked with the new pipes and meters mounted.
The people that were on the old pipes have started seeing improvement because the plant has started pumping water at one-third of its capacity.
Zaria residents keep their fingers crossed as they await completion of the project.

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