NIGERIA (Sokoto)- The Sokoto State Commissioner for Water Resources, Shehu Dalhatu, has disclosed that the state government has earmarked more than N 7.6 billion for the expansion and rehabilitation of some water schemes in the 2014 budget of the state.

The Commissioner, who said this in Sokoto yesterday, added that the projects included the expansion of the existing 20-million gallons of water per day Asare water project.

The commissioner explained that the expansion was aimed at doubling its capacity to 40 million gallons of water per day.

“The project entails the sinking of eight ground boreholes, with all the accessories, including overhead tanks and reticulation,” he said.

“Expectedly, when the expansion project is completed, their combined capacity is expected to rise to more than 92 million gallons per day.

“This will happily be above the current water demand of the city which averages at about 80 million gallons, per day,” he said.

The commissioner explained said that government had also earmarked N1.9 billion for the rehabilitation of some water treatment plants which include the old water works, the bi-water projects, a new extension treatment plant and a new water scheme in the Sokoto metropolis.