Why Kano Should Never Suffer Water Scarcity, By Islam Aminu Bala
POLITICS DIGEST — For someone who grew up around Gadon Kaya in Kano metropolis, tap water has always felt like something that existed somewhere else.
My experience of water at home and in the neighbourhood has largely been through boreholes or the traditional local water source. Running water from a tap was never something I could confidently say was part of everyday life.
That is why the recent return of water from the Goron Dutse Reservoir means more to me than the revival of an abandoned infrastructure. It represents hope.
As a resident of Gadon Kaya and a Mass Communication student of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), I have watched communities around me struggle with access to reliable water for years.
For many households, getting water has meant relying on boreholes, wells and other alternative sources. The situation has become so normal that a generation of residents has grown up without experiencing regular public water supply in their homes.
The recent commencement of water distribution from the Goron Dutse Reservoir therefore brings a different feeling to Kano metropolis.
It is the feeling that something long considered impossible may finally become possible.
The development followed the commissioning of water distribution from the reservoir by Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The Goron Dutse Reservoir had remained largely unused for more than 30 years. Its restoration is consequently a significant step towards addressing the longstanding water challenges facing Kano residents.
The facility has a combined storage capacity of 40.3 million litres, made up of three reservoirs with capacities of 10.5 million, 7.3 million and 22.5 million litres.
Water is pumped from the Challawa Water Treatment Plant through a 15.6-kilometre transmission pipeline into the Goron Dutse reservoirs before being distributed to communities across the Kano metropolis.
For people who have waited years to see water flowing through public pipelines, this is not simply about infrastructure. It is about relief.
Read Also:
It is about reducing the daily struggle of searching for water. It is about giving families more time for work, education and other important activities. Most importantly, it is about restoring confidence that public water supply can once again become a reality in Kano.
The initial distribution has, however, exposed the condition of the old network. Some pipelines have reportedly burst under the pressure of renewed water flow.
While this may cause temporary inconvenience, it also shows how long the distribution network had remained inactive.
The Ministry of Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change has said that its engineering teams are working to identify and repair damaged pipelines across the metropolis.
Residents have also been encouraged to report burst pipes and other challenges to the relevant authorities so that they can be addressed promptly.
Communities including Goron Dutse, Jakara, Dukawa, Dambazau, Yan Mota, Yan Hula and Kofar Wambai are among the areas where repair work is ongoing.
There is also renewed hope that communities such as Kofar Ruwa, Kofar Mazugal, Yalwa, Kofar Dawanau, Gadon Kaya and Kurna will benefit as the distribution network becomes more stable.
For residents of Gadon Kaya, this expectation is particularly meaningful.
To those of us who have known water scarcity as part of everyday life, the possibility of turning on a tap and seeing clean water flow is not a small achievement. It is something that can change daily life.
But the celebration must come with a responsibility to sustain the progress. The pipelines need continuous maintenance, damaged infrastructure must be repaired and water distribution must remain regular.
The success of the project should ultimately be measured not only by the restoration of Goron Dutse Reservoir, but by how many homes across Kano metropolis can consistently access clean and reliable water.
The journey may still have challenges, but every drop that reaches another household is a step forward.
For a resident of Gadon Kaya who grew up knowing boreholes more than tap water, the Goron Dutse project offers a powerful message: perhaps the time has finally come for Kano residents to look forward to turning on their taps and finding water there.
Islam is a 200 level student of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria. She can be reached via ([email protected])
