The ongoing Kano City Urban Water Project has received a funding commitment of US$75 million from the French Development Agency (AFD).
According to a statement by the French Embassy in Nigeria, this is to support the state improve water production, distribution, and revenue generation within Greater Kano.
According to the statement, accompanied by the new Managing Director of the Kano State Water Board, Garba Ahmed Bichi, and the Country Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Nigeria, Mr Xavier Muron, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Emmanuelle Blatmann, visited some key infrastructures of the AFD-supported urban water project in Kano.
The statement affirmed that the ongoing Kano City Urban Water Project being implemented by the Kano State Water Board (KnSWB) received a funding commitment of $75 million from AFD.
According to the statement, the project development objectives include “improve access and quality of water service in KnSWB’s areas of operations; improve the financial viability of KnSWB and enhance the governance framework of the water sector in the state.”
The French ambassador, while in Kano, visited the location of the proposed new intake station located on the Challawa River and the nearby Challawa second and third water treatment plants.
Blatmann said: “With its 63,500 planned connections, this project will provide access to potable water to 1.5 million inhabitants in Kano, including women and children. The project will also expand the distribution network by 27,000 metrics to bring water to new areas of Kano Municipal, Fagge, Nassarawa, Gwale and Dala local governments.
“This support from the French Development Agency, AFD, will greatly contribute to the betterment of the living conditions of the inhabitants of Kano city through the improvement of the drinking water service.”
On his part, the Managing Director of the KnSWB commended the ongoing partnership between AFD and the board.
He explained that the technical and financial support provided by France to KnSWB through the AFD will enable the institution to improve services and quality of the water supply in the city of Kano as well as sustain the financial viability of KnSWB.
