In a bid to protect its residents from exploitation, the Kano State Government has announced plans to standardize the retail prices of water across the state. This move comes in response to the irregular pricing of water by private vendors, which has been a long-standing issue in the region. Commissioner for Water Resources, Umar Doguwa, made the announcement during a meeting with members of the Water Truck Owners Association in Kano, stating that the government would no longer tolerate a system where vendors set prices arbitrarily.
Doguwa highlighted the inconsistency in water pricing, citing examples where vendors sell the same quantity of water at different prices within a short period. “Someone will sell one jerry can in the morning for N100 and then later in the evening sell the same for N200 without any reason,” he said. “This will have to stop.” The commissioner emphasized the need for a uniform price structure that would apply across the state, taking into account all key players in the informal water supply chain, including borehole owners, truck drivers, and street vendors.
The government’s intention is to ensure that the public is not exploited and that water, a critical resource, is affordable and accessible to all. Doguwa emphasized that water resources belong to the state and that the government cannot ignore the suffering of its people at the hands of individuals who take advantage of scarcity. To achieve this, the government has given stakeholders a seven-day ultimatum to agree on standardized rates, from wholesale to retail level.
The chairman of the Water Truck Owners Association, Abdussalam Rimingado, welcomed the government’s proposal, pledging the group’s cooperation. Rimingado expressed his happiness with the move, stating that it would “purify our business and move it forward.” The irregular pricing system has been a source of concern for Kano residents, particularly those living in densely populated urban areas who rely heavily on private water vendors due to limited access to public water supply.
With this new initiative, the state government aims to ensure fairness, affordability, and accountability in the water distribution system. By standardizing prices, the government hopes to provide relief to its residents and promote a more equitable access to this essential resource. As the government works to implement this new policy, it remains to be seen how it will impact the lives of Kano residents and the private water vendors who serve them. One thing is clear, however: the government’s commitment to protecting its people and ensuring access to affordable water is a step in the right direction.
