The Kano State Government has suspended the manager of the Thomas Regional Water Scheme following allegations of actions that undermined ongoing efforts to tackle the persistent water shortage affecting parts of the state.
The suspension, which takes immediate effect, was announced by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahiru Muhammad-Hashim, pending the outcome of an investigation into the alleged vandalisation and sabotage of critical facilities within the water scheme.
According to the commissioner, the government stumbled upon a shocking scene while carrying out inspections of water infrastructure projects across the state. He disclosed that facilities painstakingly rehabilitated to improve water supply had been stripped bare before they could even begin serving the public.
“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 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,” he said.
Dr. Muhammad-Hashim revealed that his visit to the Thomas and Ghari Regional Water Schemes exposed a troubling level of neglect, with installations designed to serve three local government areas remaining dormant for years. He noted that vital components, including electrical wiring connected to generators and pumping equipment, had vanished, leaving the facilities crippled.
“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 electrical wiring stripped from generators and pumps.
“A power project completed just three months ago in Thomas, which is yet to be commissioned, had already been looted.”
In a revelation that added another layer to the controversy, the commissioner said personnel employed to safeguard the premises were discovered cultivating crops within the facility instead of protecting it from intruders.
“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.”
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to restoring water infrastructure across the state, Muhammad-Hashim said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf remains determined to breathe new life into abandoned and damaged facilities. He added that rehabilitation work is already underway at key water schemes.
“Gov. 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,” he stated.
The commissioner also urged residents to act as custodians of public infrastructure, stressing that government investments can only stand the test of time when citizens join hands to protect them from vandalism and misuse.
“These public assets belong to all of us, and we all must protect them,” he said.
