Contaminated River Shared With Animals
The residents of Jemagu Village in Warawa Local Government Area, Kano State, find themselves in a distressing situation as they share a water source with animals, sparking urgent calls for intervention from the government and compassionate individuals.
According to CITAD Radio investigation published on Sunday, 19 November 2023, villagers resort to drawing water from a contaminated river shared with animals. The situation exacerbates during the dry season when the river dries up, compelling residents to trek over 3km to neighbouring villages for access to boreholes.
Untold Hardship
Speaking to CITAD Radio, Abdullahi Muhammad Jemagu, a resident, voiced the community’s struggle, stating, “Lack of water has caused us untold hardship. The government is yet to provide us with pipe-borne water despite our repeated calls for help in this regard.”
The dire water scarcity has severe implications for education, with children missing school days to spend hours fetching water.
Umar Muhammad Jemagu, Chairman of the Warawa Local Government Pensioners Association, highlighted the repercussions on food quality, making residents susceptible to waterborne diseases.
“We are forced to consume this dirty water despite the associated risks of contracting waterborne diseases like cholera, gastroenteritis, among others,” Umar Muhammad Jemagu stated.
Community Efforts
The competition for water during the dry season is intense, with herders and residents vying for every drop. Efforts made by the community, including digging the grounds in search of water, have yielded little result.
Expressing concern about the future, Umar Muhammad Jemagu implored, “We call on the government and concerned individuals to come to our aid, particularly to safeguard our future as young people because if this continues, our educational journey is already bleak.”
Alleviating the Water Crisis
This distressing situation mirrors a broader issue in Nigeria, where access to potable water remains a persistent challenge, especially in rural areas. UNICEF estimates that 69 million Nigerians lack access to clean water, and 19 million rural dwellers endure long journeys to collect unsafe water from lakes, streams, and rivers. The urgent appeal from Jemagu Village underscores the need for immediate action to alleviate the water crisis and protect the health and education of its residents.
