Groundbreaking of the Zobe Phase 1B water project

Assalamu Alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

It is with the deepest sense of honour and a profound gratitude that I stand before you on this most auspicious occasion—a day which, I am convinced, shall be inscribed in the annals of our beloved state not merely as the inauguration of another governmental initiative, but as a pivotal chapter in our shared journey towards progress, dignity, and sustainable prosperity for the good people of Katsina State.

We are assembled here for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Zobe Phase 1B Project, a venture that speaks not only to our technical prowess, but to our moral imperative as a government: to provide for the needs of our people, to construct the infrastructure that sustains life, and to deliver those essential services without which the advancement of humanity cannot flourish. This undertaking, with an estimated cost exceeding thirty-one billion naira, entrusted to Mutual Commitment Company Limited, is not merely an engineering feat; it is a declaration of intent—a solemn pledge that every citizen of Katsina State, whether residing in the bustling towns or the most secluded hamlets, shall enjoy unfettered access to clean, safe, and reliable water.

This project encompassing communities such as Karofi-Radda, Kafinsoli, Tafashiya, Kankia, Koda-Charanchi, Yarranda, Tashar Albasa, Are-Cika Koshi, Faduma, Tudun Kaadir, Rijiya Mai Siminti, Lambar Rimi, Rimi, Abukur, Tashar Bala, and Batagarawa, shall stand as a monument to human cooperation and visionary governance. Each of these communities possesses a narrative—stories of endurance, of faith, and of an unwavering belief that government, when guided by purpose and conscience, can indeed be a force for good.

Ladies and gentlemen, our administration has never conceived of development as a mere succession of isolated projects. Rather, we perceive it as a continuum—a holistic pursuit of human wellbeing in all its dimensions. This is why the provision of water, sanitation, and hygiene has been enshrined at the very heart of our developmental agenda. Our partnership with the World Bank, through the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Project—SURWASH—continues to yield tangible outcomes across our state. This collaboration has already extended improved water and sanitation services to no fewer than eight local government areas, transforming lives, fortifying public health, and reinforcing our conviction that governance is most effective when it is both inclusive and evidence based.

Yet, as we embark upon new constructions, we remain ever mindful of the imperative to preserve and revitalise the infrastructure we already possess. We are thus actively engaged in the rehabilitation of our major dams—notably the Ajiwa, Danja, and the ongoing Sabuwa dam—ensuring that they function efficiently, safely, and sustainably. We have instituted regular maintenance protocols, modern filtration systems, and enhanced operational oversight, for it is not sufficient merely to build; we must also maintain, protect, and sustain.

My vision, and indeed that of this administration, extends far beyond the immediate horizon. It is a vision that seeks to create a Katsina State where every citizen, irrespective of social class or geography, enjoys the full dignity of access—access to water, to opportunity, to development, and to hope. We are constructing a system that is not only functional but also resilient, capable of withstanding the pressures of time, population, and climate.

Distinguished guests, I must emphasise that this Project will bring with it not only the blessing of water but also the stimulus of economic activity. As construction commences, our youth shall find employment. Artisans, suppliers, and local enterprises will flourish. Skills will be honed, and livelihoods sustained. In this manner, the project will infuse vitality into our local economies, circulating opportunity through the veins of our communities just as water shall flow through these new pipelines.

Development, as I have oft remarked, is not measured solely by the grandeur of infrastructure, but by the impact it exerts upon the daily lives of ordinary people. Our task, therefore, is not only to construct but to connect; not only to supply but to sustain; not only to promise but to deliver. And so, I say to the people of Katsina State: we hear you, we see you, and we stand with you. Your government remains steadfast in its commitment to serve with integrity, transparency, and an unwavering dedication to the public good.

To our partners at Mutual Commitment Company Limited, I extend both appreciation and admonition. You have been entrusted with a project that carries the hopes and expectations of millions. You must execute it with professionalism, with honour, and with the full awareness that history will record your work. Deliver on schedule, maintain quality, and uphold every standard of excellence, for the legacy of this project shall speak for generations.

Let it never be said that we built in haste, or that we promised without fulfilling. Let it rather be remembered that under our stewardship, a project commenced that transformed lives, that turned scarcity into sufficiency, and that rendered hope a palpable reality.

My gratitude also extends to all those whose hands and hearts have made this day possible—the Ministry of Water Resources, Katsina State Water Board and our traditional and community leaders for their wisdom, and people of Katsina State.

To the people—the ordinary citizens whose patience, resilience, and faith continue to inspire every step we take—I say thank you. Governance without the people is but an empty exercise, and it is your trust that imbues our mission with meaning.

As we witness the turning of this soil, let us be reminded that the true essence of leadership lies not in the comfort of office but in the capacity to transform lives. Let us remember that every pipe that shall be laid, every valve that shall be fixed, and every drop of water that shall reach a household, carries within it the story of commitment, collaboration, and compassion.

In years to come, when our children drink freely from the taps we construct today, when our farmers irrigate their fields with ease, when our schools, hospitals, and markets flourish with reliable and portable water supply—may they look back upon this day as the moment their future was secured.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, at this historic occasion, it is with great pleasure and a profound sense of optimism for our state's future that I announce yet another significant milestone for the people of Katsina: our formal and full participation in the transformative World Bank-supported Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project. This is truly good news that heralds a new era of prosperity, security, and sustainability for our communities. With the technical designs and models for both the critical Zobe and Danja dams already successfully submitted and approved, Katsina is perfectly positioned to be a leading beneficiary of this initiative. The project's focus on modernizing irrigation, enhancing hydropower generation, and strengthening water resource management perfectly aligns with our vision for a self-sufficient, climate-resilient state. Through SPIN, we are set to unlock the vast agricultural and energy potential of our region, ensuring enhanced food security, consistent power supply, and thousands of new jobs for the good of every Katsina son and daughter.

This, my dear friends, is not the culmination of an effort, but the continuation of a promise. A promise to serve, to uplift, and to build a Katsina State that stands tall in dignity, in unity, and in prosperity.

May Almighty Allah bless this endeavour, guide those who shall labour upon it, and render its outcome a source of enduring benefit for all. May He bless our people, our land, our Republic, and bring a lasting peace to our State.

Thank you all for your presence, for your faith, and for your partnership. God bless you, and God bless Katsina State.