Businesses hit as Sokoto waterboard disconnects big consumers

Sachet water producers, building block moulders, car wash and commercial toilets owners in Sokoto are facing business interruptions after the State Water Board disconnected them.

NEWSVERGE reports that the disconnection exercise, which commenced at various parts of the state, is being conducted by a combined team of water board staff and security operatives.

NEWSVERGE reports that the team disconnected water supply to business outlets including residential buildings with enlarge water storage systems.

Checks at different places by our Correspondent revealed that the exercise might have been caused by the persistent water scarcity in Sokoto metropolis and its environs.

Speaking to NEWSVERGE on Sunday, the Chairman, Moulders Association, Sokoto State branch, Alhaji Kabiru Rumbukawa, said a team of operatives went round to yank off water supply to business premises belonging to his members.

Rumbukawa said the exercise had jeopardised operations and halted production.

“A bag of cement costs N6,500, but we can’t work. This is bad,” he said.

He explained that most of his members depended solely on water board for water supply as only few of them could afford boreholes.

Alhaji Nasiru Garka, who owns Garka Table Water, and doubles as Chairman of Sachet Water Producers in the state, equally expressed dismay over the disconnection exercise, saying that it had crippled businesses.

Garka said that no fewer than 400 registered companies produced sachet water in Sokoto, with each of engaging between 20 to 50 persons.

He expressed surprise that non of his members had prior information on the disconnection exercise which begun on Friday.

“The association plans to approach water board management to find out reasons behind the exercise.

“Sachet water production is for public consumption, the producers purify the water for public consumption, thereby contributing to healthy wellbeing of the society,” he said.

Some car wash and commercial toilets owners also lamented over the disconnection exercise, which they said is hurting their businesses.

NEWSVERGE reports that taps have gone dry with residents scampering for water from every available source.

NEWSVEGE Correspondents, who monitored the situation in the metropolis, report that water vendors sell 20 litres of water for between N120 and N140 each.

When contacted, the General Manager of Sokoto State Water Board, Alhaji Sama’ila Umar, said the disconnection exercise was necessitated by the need to ensure safe water supply for domestic consumption.

“We want to secure adequate water for consumption before considering that of commercial or industrial purposes,” he said.

Alhaji Yusuf Maccido, the State Commissioner for Water Resources has, however, told NAN he was not aware of the disconnection exercise.