Access to pipe-borne water or boreholes has waned in Darki-biyu, an FCT community, as water vending now takes centre stage; KEHINDE OSASONA writes.
To say that water is essential for domestic consumption and industrial usage is saying the least. As much as water is needed at home and outside of it for different purposes, its scarcity often leads to consumers groaning and lamenting endlessly.
The above aptly captures the situation in Darki-biyu, a community in the FCT, that is currently grappling with water scarcity.
The recent shortage of water, this reporter gathered, stemmed from a lack of accessibility, as a few water sources in the community has reserves.
Worse still, some of the vendors prefer to sell for truck pushers, who would in turn sell to residents at their price.
The lingering situation got to the head in the community when water vendors at a point compounded the whole problem with exorbitant prices.
Before the scarcity, three or two jerry cans depending on bargaining power sold for N100.
However, for some weeks now, a jerry can has been sold for N100 and it has now made it look like the seller is simply making brisk business amidst residents lamentation.
As the situation persists, Blueprint Weekend’s finding revealed that the lack of boreholes and dug-up wells in the area worsened people’s plight.
The investigations by this reporter revealed that some operators owe the FCT Water Board, while others had little water in their reservoirs.
While expressing disappointment over their plights, a resident, Agozie Chiddy, wondered why such services would continue to elude residents even when they were ready to pay.
He said, “I am still at a loss as to why we cannot access such an utility. At a time when light is not regular, at a time we are contending with hot weather; should water also be an issue?
“For me, I only need water to bathe and drink, because I eat out and patronise the laundryman. But as I speak, the bill I get on those, especially laundry has increased without any convincing explanations.
“If we must say the truth, concerned authority in FCT must help look into it before it triggers epidemics. Not also forgetting current cost of living.”
Dan Ezekiel, a businessman, while relaying his experience appealed to the authorities concerned to do something.
“Well, I just want to appeal to the government to intervene because the stress is becoming unbearable. Water as we all know is very important as we must use it on a daily basis, in view of this, our government should please do something,” he said.
Another street-trader who spoke with this reporter said she used to have a water reservoir before, but not again.
“I always buy water, use and reserve it for days, but as I speak, I do not have a drop of water. Because of the heat, I bathe three or two times a day. Look at my body; I cannot afford to sleep without bathing. So, how do you expect me to have a water reserve?”
Also, Mrs. Idongesit Imaobong said water scarcity and price tags from vendors were “unbearable.”
She said, “As a woman, I use water for a lot of things daily. So, not having access to it like before has become a big headache.
“Thankfully, despite the change of price by water vendors, some of us can still afford it, but what about others?
“My brother, it is not a smiling matter and I think government and politicians should help with more boreholes even if it has to do with following strict guidelines and regulations. For me, it’s the more, the merrier.”
For Arikewuyo Anafi, the issue of water scarcity is not new to him. According to Arikewuyo, he had experienced it in two other places he once lived in the FCT.
He told Blueprint Weekend that before now he buys a truck of water for between N1,100 to N1,200, but with the increase in demand, the price has been raised to N2,000 or thereabouts.
Also, Hauwa, a housewife, who spoke to Blueprint Weekend, said she could barely afford to buy and use water like before.
“I buy water and store it before now. But as it is, I cannot even buy as much as I used to buy not to talk of storing it for other purposes. It is that bad.
“On weekends, I usually buy more to wash clothes, bathe the children, cook at least two times, wash the toilet and do some cleanings. She told this medium,” she said.
Going forward, a water vendor, who refused to be named in print, attributed the experience of the past few weeks in the community to short supply from the source.
She appealed to the FCT Water Board to look into the water crisis, saying residents need a regular supply of water.
Boreholes?
When this reporter mooted the idea of more boreholes to complement what is on the ground, an engineer, Moses Gwa dismissed the idea, saying it has been bastardised.
“Too many boreholes have done more harm to us unknowingly. To make matters worse, a lot of people are still drilling boreholes without following the required process and safety measures.
“Let me ask you; how come we are still facing a water crisis? If we like, we should still go ahead to drill more boreholes, it won’t solve the water shortage crisis.
“My final take on all of these is that the government should follow up on laid down regulations to discourage the proliferation of boreholes here and there.
“More importantly, the water board should brace up and upgrade their services knowing full well that as population increases demand also increases and Abuja and its environs would not be an exception.
Water Board
When contacted for clarifications, an official who does not want his name in print confirmed some of the challenges mentioned.
The official of the Abuja Water Board at that point turned down this reporter’s request to probe further, saying he was not authorised to speak to the media.
He nevertheless promised to link this medium to the authorities concerned.
