By Julius Peter, Abuja
The Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, has commenced the installation of industrial solar-powered boreholes across communities in Southern Kaduna as part of efforts to address perennial water scarcity and improve access to clean and safe drinking water.
The intervention, which targets communities that have endured prolonged difficulties accessing potable water, is expected to ease the burden on residents, improve public health and enhance the quality of life of beneficiaries across the senatorial district.
Access to clean water has remained a significant challenge in several communities in Southern Kaduna, with residents often struggling to obtain sufficient water for domestic use and other daily activities. The situation has implications for public health, livelihoods, education and the general well-being of rural households.
However, the commencement of the solar-powered borehole project represents a step towards addressing the challenge through the provision of sustainable water infrastructure for underserved communities.
The first phase of the project covers Ungwan Bawa, Kitsitsara, Fagen Ruwa, Lisuru Gida, Ungwan Doka, Bogyam Village, Angwan Village, Nimbia in Gidan Waya, Sabon Layi through Angwan Noma, Gigira Square, Model Primary School Takau, the Juma’at Mosque area and the Kauru Divisional Police Headquarters.
The selection of these locations reflects the project’s focus on communities and public institutions where improved access to water is expected to provide significant relief to residents and users of the facilities.
Unlike conventional boreholes that may depend on grid electricity or fuel-powered pumping systems, the solar-powered facilities are designed to harness renewable energy to pump water. The approach is expected to reduce operating costs, limit dependence on unreliable public electricity supply and minimise the recurring expenses associated with purchasing fuel.
The use of solar energy is also expected to support the long-term sustainability of the facilities, provided adequate maintenance arrangements are put in place to keep the boreholes and pumping systems operational.
Speaking on the intervention, Senator Katung said access to clean water should be treated as a fundamental necessity rather than a privilege, stressing that his representation would continue to prioritise projects capable of delivering tangible benefits to constituents.
“Our people deserve more than promises; they deserve water that is clean, accessible and sustainable. This is what responsive and responsible leadership looks like,” the senator stated.
He said the project formed part of his broader development agenda, which focuses on delivering impactful interventions in water supply, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure across Kaduna South Senatorial District.
According to him, the objective is to ensure that public resources and constituency interventions translate into practical improvements in the daily lives of the people, particularly those living in communities where basic amenities remain inadequate.
The senator also assured residents that the initiative would not be limited to the communities covered in the first phase, disclosing that additional communities across the eight local government areas of Kaduna South Senatorial District would benefit from subsequent phases of the programme.
The planned expansion is expected to extend the reach of the intervention and provide more residents with access to reliable water infrastructure as implementation progresses.
Residents of the benefiting communities have reportedly expressed excitement and gratitude over the commencement of work, describing the intervention as a welcome development amid persistent difficulties associated with accessing potable water.
For many rural households, improved access to water can reduce the time and effort spent searching for the essential resource, allowing residents to devote more attention to farming, education, businesses and other productive activities. Reliable water sources can also contribute to improved hygiene and sanitation, particularly in schools and other public facilities.
The inclusion of the Model Primary School Takau and the Kauru Divisional Police Headquarters, alongside residential communities and the Juma’at Mosque area, also highlights the potential benefits of the intervention for public institutions and community facilities.
Beyond the immediate relief expected from the project, the sustainability of the facilities will depend on effective maintenance, protection of the infrastructure and appropriate arrangements for managing the water points after installation.
As work continues across the designated locations, the initiative is expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to improve access to essential social amenities in Southern Kaduna.
With further phases planned across the senatorial district, residents will be looking forward to the extension of the programme to more communities that continue to face water shortages.
The development was disclosed by Midat Joseph, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Senator Sunday Marshall Katung.
