By Prescilla Campbell, Minna
Niger State government has vowed to effect the arrest of pipeline vandals and illegal water operators to achieve its mandate of adequate supply of potable water to people of the state.
The state Commissioner of Water Resources and Dams Development, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, disclosed this in Minna.
He warned the criminals to desist from their act because the doard has set up a surveillance system to monitor their activities.
He pointed out that the activities of vandals and illegal water operators have led to the loss of large volume of treated water produced for public usage.
His words: “The act of tampering, illegal connection and vandalizing of water pipeline has continued to be an impediment to the State Water Board and as a result, we have intensified surveillance to ensure such practices are prevented and stopped.
“Anybody caught will be made to face the full wrath of the law. We have ordered the arrest of one Jamilu Dahiru who was caught in the act for prosecution by the police.”
The commissioner said that during the surveillance exercise, they apprehended a group of young men who involved in the practice and were using the water for commercial purposes along the Western bypass, Minna. Others escaped but we arrested one of them.”
According to him, “Such acts contribute to the loss of large volumes of treated water produced for public well-being using equipment and chemicals; which were purchased with huge resources provided by the Niger State government.” Warning people to desist from such acts as when caught they would be dealt with, the commissioner said,” These acts could also lead to contamination of the water and loss of revenue to the organization.”