The Sokoto State government has clarified that the N1.2 billion allocated for water projects was used to drill new boreholes, rather than renovate existing ones, as previously reported in social media discussions. The clarification follows allegations that Governor Ahmed Aliyu stated the funds were spent on the renovation of 25 boreholes.
In response, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Abubakar Bawa, issued a statement on Thursday, dismissing these claims as misinformation spread by detractors. He explained that the funds were used to drill 25 new solar-powered boreholes across several rural areas, including Munki, Marnona, Dinawa, Lugu, and Wurno, under the World Bank-supported ACReSAL programme. The project also included perimeter fencing and a 40-kilometre shelter belt to support local water needs.
“There were no boreholes in these areas before this administration,” Bawa emphasized, highlighting that the project addresses a critical water scarcity issue in Wurno Local Government, where residents previously had to travel long distances for drinking water. This scarcity had negatively affected local communities, including school attendance rates.
Bawa further stated that the Ahmed Aliyu administration initiated these solar-powered borehole projects to provide clean drinking water and improve the quality of life for residents in these underserved areas. He reiterated that the purpose of the statement was to correct the misinformation and ensure the public understands the scope of the project, emphasizing that the funds were used for new infrastructure, not renovations.