Advertisment

In This Nigeria's Plateau State Community, Residents and Cows Fight For Dirty Water

author-image
Justice Nwafor
New Update
 Residents of Sabongida community struggle to access clean drinking water.<br>Image Credit: Tracka.ng

The residents of Sabongida community, located in the Langtang South Local Government of Plateau in Nigeria's north-central, are locked in an ongoing struggle with animals over the limited access to drinking water. With acute water shortage plaguing the community, the situation has reached alarming proportions. Visitors to the community have discovered a distressing absence of any source of potable water, forcing the inhabitants to embark on long journeys spanning several kilometers in search of water ponds, where they are compelled to contend with cows, goats, and even dangerous reptiles for access to unclean water sources.

Advertisment

The Arduous Battle for Survival

Residents of Sabongida are confronted with the arduous task of waiting for animals to finish drinking the tainted water from dirty ponds before they can collect whatever remains. Christie Ndam, a resident, expressed the community's plight, stating, "Very often, we have to wait for cows to finish drinking the dirty water before we scoop whatever is available. Unfortunately, that is the only option available to us." The scarcity of water has reached such dire straits that individuals spend hours waiting around dried-up wells in the hope of procuring water. The situation is exacerbated by the fierce competition between villagers and herders who must also cater to the needs of their cattle, intensifying the battle for each precious drop.

Adverse Implications on Daily Life

Advertisment

The ramifications of this acute water shortage extend far beyond the immediate thirst endured by the residents. The absence of water in hospitals, schools, and public spaces has adversely impacted personal hygiene and environmental sanitation. Jennifer Nimfa, a 16-year-old student, highlighted the consequences for education, revealing that the struggle for water has often resulted in children missing school altogether. Similarly, Fabong Miri, another resident, lamented the detrimental effect on farming and agricultural activities, as the scarcity of potable water engulfs the entire region. Langtang South, comprising various communities, stands united in its plight, with each locality grappling with acute water shortages.

Urgent Pleas for Assistance

The gravity of the situation necessitates swift intervention from the government. Goyil Maikarfi, a concerned resident, stressed the urgent need for immediate action, calling upon the government to dredge the dams in the area. By increasing their capacity to retain water, these dams could alleviate the suffering of the communities over an extended period. The scale of the water scarcity problem demands a national emergency response, as emphasized by another resident, Ponzing Durfa, the community leader of Sabongida. Langtang South, labeled the most underdeveloped and backward local government area in the state, is bereft not only of potable water but also critical social amenities such as road networks, electricity, and healthcare facilities.

Appeals for Government Intervention

Timkat Peter, the national coordinator of the Economic Freedom Fighters-Nigeria, recently submitted a petition to both the state and federal government, urgently imploring them to address the water scarcity crisis in Sabongida. The situation demands immediate attention and comprehensive measures to ensure the provision of clean and accessible water sources for the community.

WaterCrisis HealthcareFacilities WaterShortage SabongidaCommunity GovernmentInterventionNeeded
Advertisment
Advertisment