The Katsina State Government and the Mutual Commitment Company (MCC) formally signed a contract on 5 November for the Zobe Phase 1B Water Supply Project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at resolving a water crisis that has persisted for over forty years.

The 88.7-kilometre pipeline system is engineered to deliver potable water to more than sixteen communities across five local government areas.

At a combined signing and groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda addressed the long-standing issue of the Zobe Dam. Despite its completion in 1983, the dam has never been fully leveraged to serve the population.

“The project underscores our administration’s unwavering commitment to public welfare and the fundamental right to safe drinking water,” the Governor stated.

The Zobe Phase 1B scheme will supply reliable water to areas including Dutsin-Ma, Katsina, Rimi, Batagarawa, Charanchi, Kafin-Soli, Tafashiya, and Radda.

“Our goal is not merely to build new infrastructure, but to establish sustainable systems that will serve generations to come,” Governor Radda added.

He further highlighted the project’s anticipated socio-economic benefits, pointing to substantial job creation, stimulation of local supply chains, and a significant boost to the regional economy. “This project will recognise skills, sustain livelihoods, and foster sustainable economic development,” he said.

Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Bishir Gambo Saulawa, described the initiative as a “major milestone,” asserting that providing water is not just a basic necessity but a core responsibility of public governance.

The critical need for the project was quantified by Engr. Tukur Tingilin, Managing Director of the Katsina State Water Board. He revealed that the currently operational Phase 1A, finished in 2022, produces about 45 million litres per day—a figure vastly inadequate for the Katsina metropolitan area, which requires 130 million litres.

“This is precisely why Phase 1B is so crucial,” Mr. Tingilin explained. “It will extend the distribution network directly to homes, schools, and businesses, finally turning forty years of waiting into tangible progress.”

For the MCC, Group Managing Director Liu Zhaolong confirmed the project would ensure a stable water supply for domestic, educational, and commercial use, while also enhancing agricultural productivity. He noted that knowledge transfer, including training for local engineers in water management and maintenance, is a key component of the agreement.

The event was attended by senior state officials, including the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Nasir Daura, and the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Faskari. Traditional leaders, among them the District Head of Dutsin-Ma, Alhaji Mohammed Sada, hailed the project as the fulfilment of a long-awaited dream for the region.

(Pictures: Courtesy of MCC)