By Our Correspondent
Hundreds of residents in Kano took to the streets to protest the persistent shortage of potable water, accusing authorities of neglecting a basic necessity while spending billions of naira on other priorities, including Hajj operations.
The protesters lamented that access to clean water has become a daily struggle for many households, with some describing the situation as so dire that “even the water needed to cleanse a newborn baby is unavailable.”
Carrying placards and chanting slogans, the demonstrators expressed frustration over what they described as years of unfulfilled promises despite huge investments in the state’s water sector.
They questioned the government’s spending priorities, alleging that more than ₦80 billion had been expended on water-related projects without any noticeable improvement in supply, while substantial funds continue to be allocated to Hajj-related activities.
“We are not asking for luxury; we are demanding water, which is a basic human necessity,” one of the protesters said.
The demonstrators urged the government to take urgent steps to address the worsening water crisis, warning that the shortage is affecting public health, sanitation, and livelihoods across the state.
They called for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and insisted that providing safe and reliable water should take precedence over non-essential expenditures.
As public pressure mounts, residents say they will continue to demand action until the long-standing water supply challenges are resolved.
