The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kaduna state, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday said he will complete the Zaria Water Project that has been abandoned for years.
The spokesperson for the Kaduna APC Campaign Council, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists.
The Zaria water Expansion project, is a regional water supply project by Kaduna State government in collaboration with African Development Bank, AfDB.
It was conceived under the administration of Governor Ahmed Makarfi in 1999, now a senator, to be a fifty million litres daily Zaria Water Works Plant but was abandoned some years later due to financial constraints.
When Governor Namadi Sambo assumed office in 2007, he reviewed the water project contract to N15.7 billion with additional components to produce 150 million liters per day with a 2011 completion date but following his elevation to the position of vice president in 2010, the project suffered yet another setback with residents of the ancient northern city grappling with the challenges of water scarcity.
Determined to put an end to the over 30 years of lack of access to potable water in Zaria and its environs, the APC guber candidate, who hails from Zaria, vowed to break the jinx and make water available to his home town and its environs, if elected governor.
El-Rufai made the promise during a town hall meeting with youth leaders of Kaduna North Senatorial Zone.
He said “I stand here to tell you nothing but the truth and I will say it for all to know. By the special grace of God we will complete Zaria Water Project that has been going on endlessly. We keep on hearing billions upon billions being spent without an end.
“You asked for my candid position regarding the water project, and I told you that I will complete the project and bring water to our people without any abracadabra. We will not say what we will not do.
“There will be no more story and deceit if God and the good people of Kaduna state give us the mandate to run affairs of our state. We will make it real by the grace of God”.
Charging the youth to work hard towards a new Kaduna state, El-Rufai said “I am appealing to you to team up with youths from Southern Kaduna, Central Kaduna and Northern Kaduna to build a new Kaduna state.
“You own the future, don’t allow anyone to deceive you in the name of religion, ethnicity and political sentiment. Don’t stereotype anyone, don’t denigrate anyone, don’t get involved in violence and anarchy”.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate