Former VP Sambo Lauds El-Rufai On Zaria Water Project

Former Vice President Namadi Sambo on Friday commended Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State for completing the Zaria water expansion project, which has not been upgraded for 42 years.

Sambo made the commendation when he paid a courtesy visit to the governor in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Zaria water expansion project was started by the former vice president when he was the governor of the state.

The project is supplying potable water to over two million people.

“It is an important milestone,” he said, adding that it has addressed the perennial portable water shortage in the ancient city and improved social and economic life of the people.

“I am particularly humbled for recognizing my contribution to the successful completion of the water project during the commissioning.

“Certainly you have shown that improving the lives of our people matter the most to you,” Sambo said.

He also noted the resolve of the governor to complete projects he inherited.

“In particular the 300 bed specialist hospital when completed will provide enabling environment to train our doctors and other medical personnel, improve health care delivery and end medical tourism.”

He added,  “I am not surprised at your immense achievements; I have clearly read your industrial and development plans and I want to assure you of our support to the noble objective in improving and uplifting the economic status of the state.”

Responding, El-Rufai appreciated the former vice president for initiating the Kaduna urban renewal plan, construction of the 300-bed hospital at millennium city, among others.

“You are the best of all governor of Kaduna state. Some governors caused problems, we are trying to solve them, some engaged in their businesses, we tried to reverse it.

“Your vision for the development of Kaduna state is paramount, and I will give examples because it’s okay to make a statement like that; you visualized what Zaria needed you called consultants to study the problem and proposed a solution to it.

“You went to Abidjan, Tunis, Jeddah and arrange the financing for the Zaria water project, you pushed the Federal Government to build Galma Dam to provide water for this project.

“You had everything in place, fortunately, you have to move up to higher office. That was when the problems started until we came to office we decided that we are going to deal with the problem once for all.

“I want to commend you for your vision, focus and efforts. It’s only now we are implementing other projects envisioned by you,” El-Rufai said.