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.

El-Rufai Addresses Water Scarcity, Commissions Treatment Plant.
The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has commissioned the 150 Million litres per day Zaria water treatment plant, aimed at addressing the perennial water scarcity in Zaria and environs which date back more than 40 years ago.
Speaking at the ceremony, El-Rufai said the Zaria water project is the beginning of a new phase in water works development and renovation in the state, as other water works scattered all across the state will continue to receive the attention of government.
During his election Campaign in 2015, Governor El-Rufai promised to address the problem of water scarcity in Zaria if elected into office and after two years in office, that promise has been realised with the completion of the 150 million litres per day water treatment plant.
The Zaria water project was initiated in 2008 by the Namadi Sambo administration at the cost of N15billion, it was later reviewed by the El-Rufai administration to N24billion due to expansion in design and other exigencies.
Beyond the broader goal of ensuring availability of water for domestic and industrial purposes for residents of Zaria and environs, the Kaduna state government is hoping that the completion of the Water Project will boost agriculture in eight Local Government Areas through irrigation farming.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and his predecessor, Namadi Sambo, on Saturday disagreed over the role played by present and past Kaduna governors in a water project in Zaria, commissioned by Mr. Osinbajo.
Represented at the event by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Oyegun, the acting president had claimed the project had lingered for 16 years but was speedily completed by Governor Nasir El-Rufai in two years.
But the News Agency of Nigeria reported that the 150 million liters per day multi-billion water project was initiated by Mr. Sambo in 2008 when he was governor of the north western state.
“I am glad on behalf of the party, it took an APC governor just two years to complete a project that has been in slumber for over 16 solid years,” he was quoted by NAN as saying.
But Mr. Sambo struck back in his speech, telling the audience that while Mr. E-Rufai’s effort was commendable, the project had not gone beyond where he left it seven years ago.
He urged the benefiting communities to make judicious use of the project and to protect it against vandalism.
The first part of the project inaugurated by Mr. Osinbajo would supply water to Zaria and Sabongari Local Government Areas.
NAN reports that, when fully completed, the Zaria water supply project would also be extended to Giwa, Kudan, Makarfi, Soba and Kubau local government areas.
“This water treatment plant is an important component of the Zaria water supply expansion project that Kaduna State Government is executing with the support of Federal Government, AFDB, IDB,” he said.
The governor explained that the state government funded the construction of the new water plant, transmission mains and service reservoirs, and also rehabilitated and extended the distribution network.