Kano State Government has intensified efforts to curb illegal silica sand excavation activities near water sources in a bid to safeguard the state’s potable water infrastructure.
The Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Alhaji Hamza Kachako, made this known during an inspection tour of the excavation sites on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Kano, the state capital.
The excavation sites are along the banks of River Chalawa in Panshekara, Kumbotso Local Government Area, and Azoren Waje in Kura Local Government Area.
Kachako was accompanied on the inspection by top officials from the ministry.
He said the inspection followed complaints from the Kano State Water Board over the adverse impact of sand mining near mechanised boreholes supplying the Chalawa Water Treatment Plant.
The commissioner warned vendors to desist from excavating sand close to water installations, stressing that such activities would no longer be tolerated by the state government.
Kachako recalled a recent inspection of the River Wudil bank where he initiated dialogue with sand vendors, to resolve issues amicably and encourage responsible excavation practices.
“The intensified inspections are in response to complaints from the Kano State Water Board, which had raised alarm over the negative impact of sand vending on water supply projects,” he said.
Kachako reaffirmed the government’s readiness to engage stakeholders, including vendors, in constructive dialogue aimed at safeguarding both economic livelihoods and public interest.
Speaking, the Director of the water treatment plant, Alhaji Uba Shareef, said the activities of sand vendors were disrupting borehole operations, thereby threatening the consistent supply of clean drinking water to surrounding communities.
By Muhammad Nur Tijani