Sokoto Water Crisis: Dan’iya Demands Accountability Over Billions Allocated

By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress ADC in Sokoto StateHon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has challenged the state government to explain why residents continue to face persistent shortages of potable water despite billions of naira reportedly allocated for water infrastructure.

Dan’iya said the prolonged crisis was unacceptable, accusing the All Progressives Congress APC led administration of failing to deliver on its promises to improve water supply across the state.

In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, the ADC candidate said many residents were still spending a significant portion of their limited income on water for drinking, cooking and other domestic purposes.

He warned that the temporary improvement associated with the rainy season should not be regarded as a permanent solution, saying the problem could become more severe after the rains.

Dan’iya questioned the implementation of several water projects announced by the government, particularly against the backdrop of budgetary provisions made for the sector.

He said the 2026 Citizens Budget provided N25 billion for the rehabilitation of the Sokoto Township Water Works and another N5 billion for the procurement and installation of solar powered systems for State Water Board pumping stations.

However, according to him, the first-quarter 2026 Budget Implementation Report indicated that only N64.09 million had been released, representing 2.1 per cent of the N3.106 billion original quarterly budget of the Ministry of Water Resources.

The development, he said, raised questions about the level of government commitment to resolving the water crisis.

“After the billions appropriated and the repeated announcements of projects, where is the water?” Dan’iya asked.

He also referred to the government’s May 2026 announcement on the installation of 10,000 solar panels at the Sokoto Water Works.

The state Commissioner for Water Resources had said the project was expected to generate 4.2 megawatts and help end the recurring water shortage affecting Sokoto metropolis and surrounding communities.

The government also announced that about N6 billion would be spent on water rehabilitation and solar facilities.

Dan’iya further cited six water projects Tamaje, Old Airport, Gagi, Mana, Runjin Sambo and Ruga Liman which the government reportedly estimated would collectively produce about 40 million gallons of water daily at a projected cost of N14.1 billion.

He said the continued scarcity of potable water despite these announcements warranted greater transparency on the implementation of the projects.

The ADC candidate also raised questions over alleged delays in the release of funds for some approved water interventions.

According to him, correspondence from the Ministry of Water Resources to the governor in April indicated that a contract intended to address the crisis was still awaiting financial backing.

“A serious government should not allow a basic necessity like potable water to remain trapped in correspondence, approvals and bureaucratic processes while citizens are buying water every day” he said.

Dan’iya equally questioned the progress of the electricity project meant to support water pumping stations, noting that investments in water infrastructure would have limited impact if adequate power was not available to operate the facilities.

He said residents deserved tangible results rather than repeated announcements of projects.

A 2025 report on the water crisis in Sokoto reportedly showed that residents were paying between N200 and N300 for a 25-litre container, compared with about N50 previously. Some residents, the report said, were also forced to travel considerable distances to obtain water.

While acknowledging government efforts, including repairs to damaged pipelines, Dan’iya maintained that such emergency measures could not replace a long-term and reliable water supply system.

He called on Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration to publish details of funds allocated and released for water projects, amounts spent, completed projects, outstanding works and the expected timeline for restoring reliable potable water supply.

“Water is not a campaign promise to be repeated every four years but a fundamental responsibility of government. The people of Sokoto did not vote for announcements; they voted for solutions” he said.

“Three years and more is enough time to demonstrate measurable progress. We cannot continue to commission promises while our people continue to buy water.

“Sokoto deserves a government that will make clean and reliable water available — not merely tell the people that it is coming.”