SaharaReporters learnt that the opulent event held on October 31 was attended by top politicians, family members, and close associates. ArticlesRead More
SaharaReporters learnt that the opulent event held on October 31 was attended by top politicians, family members, and close associates. ArticlesRead More
Katsina Awards Zobe Water Supply Project to MCC at N31bn
Francis Sardauna in Katsina
The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has awarded the Zobe Water Supply Phase One B project at the cost of N31 billion after years of struggle by successful administrations to complete the water scheme.
The 88,741 length water project, awarded to Mutual Commitment Company Limited (MCC), is expected to tackle the perennial water scarcity in communities across Dutsinma, Charanchi, Rimi, Katsina and Batagarawa Local Government Areas when completed.
Speaking at the ceremonial groundbreaking of the project in Kafin-Soli Wednesday, Radda said it was awarded to the MCC at the cost of over N31 billion to boost water supply in the state.
He has directed the state’s Ministry of Water Resources to initiate the process of payment of 40 per cent of the total project sum to the company for its immediate commencement.
He explained that the Zobe water supply project phase one B will provide potable water to Dutsinma, Katsina, Rimi, Batagarawa, Charanchi, Kafin-Soli, Tafashiya and Radda.
Radda said: “We are assembled here for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Zobe Water supply phase one B project, a venture that speaks not only to our technical prowess, but to our moral imperatives as a government and 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 had an estimated cost exceeding over 31 billion.
“Entrusted to Mutual Commitment Company Limited is not merely an engineering bid, it is a declaration of intent, a solemn pledge that every citizen of Katsana State, whether residing in the bustling towns or the most polluted hamlets, shall enjoy the unfiltered access to clean, safe and reliable water.”
He added that the water supply project will provide job opportunities for artisan suppliers and local enterprises will flourish in the state.
“Skills will be honoured, livelihoods sustained. In this manner, the project will infuse vitality into our local economies,” he said.
He described the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene as some of the cardinal pillars of his Building Your Future development agenda.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Bashir Gambo Saulawa, said the water project underscores Governor Radda’s unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of citizens and etching progress into the fabrics of the state.
He noted that the Zobe phase one B water project “is a promise made tangible, a solemn commitment to deliver clean, safe and reliable water to every corner of our city”.
“Water, as we all know, is the essence of life, but beyond its physical necessity, its provision is a moral obligation, a reflection of our collective conscience,” the commissioner said.
In his remarks, the Group Managing Director of Mutual Commitment Company Limited, Mr. Liu Zhaolong, said the company will complete the project within 12 months instead of the initial two years timeframe.
Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has awarded the Zobe Water Supply Phase One B project at the cost of N31 billion after years of struggle
Read moreFalse Claim Against Tinubu: Arraignment of Sowore, Others Stalled
The arraignment of Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, was, on Wednesday, stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Department of State Services (DSS) charged Sowore with defamation alongside “X” Incorp and Meta Corp (Facebook).
The matter, which was fixed for them to take their plea before Justice Mohammed Umar, could not proceed because neither Sowore nor his lawyer were in court.
The charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, was dated September 16.
Sowore was alleged to have made a false claim against the person of President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as “a criminal” on his X and Facebook accounts.
When the case was called on Wednesday, the DSS Lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), told the court that the matter was slated for arraignment and that all parties were ready, except Sowore, who was absent and had no legal representation.
He informed the court that the prosecution received a letter on Tuesday night from “one Deji Adeyanju,” who claimed to be the lead lawyer in the case and requested an adjournment.
According to Kehinde, “The letter was a ploy to delay the proceedings.
“Our position is that this letter is grossly in bad faith and it is meant to further delay this matter.”
The senior lawyer recalled that on September 30, the arraignment could not proceed after Sowore claimed he had not been served, even “though the charge was already in the media and the defendant was in court”.
He added that the court adjourned the matter to October 27 and on the adjourned date, although the court did not sit on the matter, the defendant was absent and was not represented.
He said the court registry fixed November 5 as the new date.
Kehinde, however, expressed surprise that Sowore was neither in court nor his lawyer, saying: “Only for the 1st defendant to get a counsel who is impersonating as the lead counsel on this matter.”
He said Adeyanju’s letter alleged that the new date was “fixed off record without proper consultation”.
Kehinde alleged that Sowore was on television on Tuesday, telling viewers that: “He has a case before your lordship today,” only for him not to appear in court.
“This is a disrespect to this court and it is time your lordship issue a bench warrant for him so that he should be kept in custody until next adjourned date so that nobody will be looking for him,” he prayed.
He also urged the court to discountenance Adeyanju’s letter, describing it as “a mischievous letter”.
He observed that all Sowore’s processes in the matter were filed by Femi Falana as lead lawyer and urged the court to disregard the letter and issue the bench warrant.
Similarly, the lawyer to Facebook, Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo (SAN), aligned with the submission of Kehinde.
He said the letter, which he also received from Adeyanju, was disrespectful to the parties and the court.
Tayo-Oyetibo told the court that he travelled from Lagos for the hearing and received the letter at Abuja airport on Tuesday.
He added that the letter appeared to refer to a different matter, as it mentioned “4th of November rather than 5th of November”.
He said in spite of their assumption that the hearing date was November 4, neither Sowore nor his lawyer was in court today (November 5).
The lawyer also informed the court that Sowore had accused him on social media of “siding with the Federal Government against him”.
He, however, told the court that he did not oppose the application for a bench warrant by the prosecution.
On her part, the lawyer appearing for the 2nd defendant (X Incorp), Christabel Ndokwelu, argued that her client had not been properly served with the charge, though they were served with hearing notice.
She urged the court to ensure proper service, saying they were not ready for arraignment.
Justice Umar then confirmed from the court record that the 2nd and 3rd suspects were served electronically, but Ndokwelu insisted that her client only received the hearing notice electronically.
The prosecution, however, insisted that a bench warrant be issued.
But the judge told Kehinde that there was no need to rush and declined the request for the bench warrant.
Justice Umar, who directed the prosecution to serve Ndokwelu with a copy of the charge in the open court, adjourned the matter until December 2 for arraignment.
The judge equally ordered that Sowore be served with the hearing notice. (NAN)
The arraignment of Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, was, on Wednesday, stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The Department of State Services (DSS) charged Sowore with defamation
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