AfDB to grant Kaduna State $100m to expand Zaria Water Scheme

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has said that it would grant Kaduna State government the sum of 100 million dollars for the expansion of the ongoing Zaria Regional Water Scheme. The Team Leader of the Bank’s Project Unit, Mr. Thomas Gaya made the disclosure during a visit to Gov. Patrick Yakowa in Kaduna.

Gaya said that the team had met with officials of the state Ministry of Water Resources and that of Finance on the requirements to meet the target of the bank. He said that the team had visited Galma Dam and the water treatment plant for an on-the-spot assessment and the requirements for the progress of work at the project site.
According to him, the team has carried out an appraisal of the dam size and the distribution network of the plant and were impressed by the Federal and State Governments commitment to the project.

Gaya said the team was also in the Palace of the Emir of Zazzau to meet with stakeholders on how best to approach the project and ensure their support. The team leader said that the AfDB was discussing with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) on financing the transmission system of the project to enhance its completion.
According to him, the team needed to move fast to get its board’s approval to be able to meet the demand of the projects and targeted completion period.

“ We are going to work with officials of the Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Finance so as to meet the conditions of the bank, to hasten the commencement of the work,“ he said. The AfDB loan is expected to be paid within eight years, the official said