The Kano State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) has trained 18 mechanics and water supply officers on the operation and maintenance of water facilities across seven local governments.

Malam Shamwilu Abdulkadir, Managing Director of the agency, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday that this became necessary to prevent the breakdown of water supply facilities.

According to him, this initiative is part of the ‘Village Level Operation and Maintenance (VLOM)’ strategy, which engages local artisans to manage water facilities in rural areas.

Abdulkadir added that the agency had organised a workshop to review the quality of state rural water and develop a surveillance and implementation strategy.

He said, ‘We have initiated and executed a number of water supply projects in various communities and institutions where potable water was seriously needed.

‘These include the construction of an 8000- litre solar borehole at Babawa General Hospital. In addition to this, the agency a
lso repaired 8 hand pump boreholes in the community.

‘It also constructed a 12,000-litre solar powered borehole and reticulation of 500 metres at Kano State School of Health Technology and constructed 4 hand pump boreholes for Sitti communities in Sumaila Local Government.

‘We have also rehabilitated many nonfunctional boreholes at Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital overhead tank, handpump boreholes, and the Ministry of Information water facilities at Audu Bako Secretariat.

‘We rehabilitated the Office of the Head of Civil Service facilities at Audu Bako Secretariat; Rehabilitation and upgrade of motorised solar-powered boreholes at Hugungumai village in Tsanyawa Local Government , among others.’

Abdulkadir said the agency had recorded 11 open defecation-free local government areas within the last ten months.

He said that the feat was part of the sustained plausible efforts to deliver on the mandate to end open defecation practices.

The managing director said the initiative also aimed to promote hygiene
in the state, following the 2025 national road-map.

Abdulkadir said this had added to the eight local governments already declared open defecation-free.

He mentioned that a support mechanism had been established to ensure sustainability.

According to him, upon assuming office, he continued with ongoing programmes related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), the specialised operational focus of the agency with support from the United Nations.

He added, ‘We have also set up a mechanism to support the eight validated local governments declared open defecation-free for sustainability.

‘RUWASSA also embarked on training 24 WASH officials on community WASH facilities management within these local governments.’

The managing director added that various capacity-building workshops had been organised for better service delivery, including the WASH Framework on Measurement and Evaluation in the state.

NAN reports that WASH sector observers in Kano believe Malam Shamwilu’s appointment marks a positive change i
n the agency’s management, leading to significant impacts.

They agree that Governor Abba Kabir made the right choice in selecting Malam Shamwilu Abdulkadir as Managing Director of RUWASSA.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria