FG Launches N59.46bn Greater Dutse Water Supply Project to Address Water Scarcity

FG Launches N59.46bn Greater Dutse Water Supply Project to Benefit 1.5 Million Residents

By Abdulmajeed Abdullateef

ABUJA – The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, has officially launched the construction of the Greater Dutse Water Supply Project in Sintilmawa, Jigawa State. This major infrastructure initiative, valued at ₦59.46 billion, is set to provide clean and reliable water to over 1.5 million residents in Dutse and its surrounding communities.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, praised the project as a critical step toward addressing the region’s long-standing water supply challenges. He noted that this effort will enhance the living conditions of the people of Dutse and its neighboring areas by improving access to safe drinking water. The project was designed to address a daily water supply shortfall of 10 million liters, a pressing need that has affected the local population for years.

Engr. Utsev explained that the commencement of the project was made possible due to years of careful planning, which included conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the development of detailed engineering designs. He further stated that the project received approval from the Federal Executive Council under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with a total budget of ₦59.46 billion. The project is expected to be completed within 24 months.

The project’s key components include the construction of 35 industrial boreholes, each equipped with solar-powered pumps. In addition, a water treatment plant with a capacity of 1,000m³/hr will be installed, along with reinforced concrete storage tanks and Braithwaite tanks strategically positioned throughout the area. The project also involves the installation of 56.6 kilometers of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines for water transmission, the setup of solar power systems, transformers, and generators to ensure the project’s energy needs are met, as well as the development of administrative and staff facilities at project sites.

Engr. Utsev highlighted the numerous benefits the project will bring to the region, including job creation, economic stimulation, and improved access to clean water. He emphasized that the project is aligned with the Federal Government’s broader infrastructure development agenda, which aims to improve essential services across Nigeria. To ensure its timely and successful completion, the Ministry of Water Resources has established a dedicated Project Implementation Unit, made up of representatives from the Ministry, the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, and the Jigawa State Government.

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State expressed his appreciation to the Federal Government for its commitment to solving the water scarcity issue in Dutse and surrounding areas. He commended the initiative as a vital project that would bring significant development to the state and support President Tinubu’s vision of prioritizing infrastructure and basic services for Nigerians. Governor Namadi further stressed that the project would be a game-changer for the people of Jigawa, improving their access to clean water and enhancing their overall quality of life.

Other dignitaries at the event included Hon. Sada Soli, Chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources; Alhaji Hameem Muhammad Nuhu Sanusi, the Emir of Dutse; and Ma’amun Da’u Aliyu, the outgoing Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority. They all expressed strong support for the project and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring its successful implementation.

The groundbreaking ceremony was followed by an overview of the project presented by Mr. Mukaila Babarinde, Director of Water Supply Services at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, who provided further details on the scope and expected outcomes of the initiative.

Once completed, the Greater Dutse Water Supply Project will significantly improve the lives of over 1.5 million people by providing them with a consistent and sustainable supply of clean water, while also contributing to the development of Jigawa State and Nigeria as a whole.