Jigawa residents lament water scarcity in Dutse metropolis
Story from Dahiru SULEIMAN, Dutse
The latest Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping Exercise published by the National Bureau of Statistics with support from UNICEF and other development partners has revealed that Dutse, the metropolis of Jigawa State is the worst hit by water scarcity in the country.
Jigawa State, despite being second with 92% after Lagos State in the country in terms of having good access to the provision of water supply is currently experiencing the water scarcity menace.
Reports have shown that most taps in the city were without drops of water for a couple of years despite huge investment injected by the government through the Jigawa State Ministry of Water Resources in the provision of water supply.
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The least among the worst-hit areas are metropolitan Dutse, Zai quarters, Katangare, Murahusawa, Sabuwar Maranjuwa, Old Maranjuwa settlement, Gida Dubu Housing Estates, all in metropolitan Dutse and beyond where most residents relied on commercial water vendor’s who sold Jerry can water on thirty to fifty naira per Jerrycan.
These lapses might not be unconnected with the breakdown of 13 major Sommer’s of water supply pipes that distribute water to all the nooks and crannies of the state capital in the last year.
Some water board officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said “we have written severally to our superiors but to no avail, the repairs of these water facilities need many funds, but it hasn’t been attended to for unknown reasons”, said one of the water board officials.
This contradicts an earlier survey which reports that Jigawa State has 49% of its households having access to basic hygiene services, which is the highest among the states in the country but was engulfed by a high concentration of filth all over the ancient city.
Findings also discovered that the proclaimed 18 local governments certified safe from open defecation by the state government was noting short of a mirage going by the heap of filths that are littering all over the places.
This has made the public wonder about the whereabouts of investments pumped into the Water and Sanitation Sector by the government, and also the state’s investment of about N4.1 billion, with appreciable progress towards achieving universal access to safe drinking water and about 75% access to sanitation services by the end of 2022.
Lamenting the situation, Comrade Shehu Garki of Gida Dubu quarters said “It is very unfortunate for government to be playing with our intelligence about its commitments in the water sector by denying its community such basic amenities of life as water.
“We have been staying in this housing estate without water as most of our taps are without water for a long period of time. Even our motorized boreholes are without water, we constantly relied on commercial water vendors for our domestic use of water”
Also speaking, Bello Gadadin from one of the quarters said “We were told by the Water Resources Commissioner that at-least N75m was expended on repairs and replacement of broken downpipes for effective water distribution in metropolitan Dutse and environs but nothing to show for it still, as we are yet to enjoy a steady supply of pipe-borne water.
Responding, Commissioner of Water Resources, Alh. Mohammed Garba Hannun Giwa said the government has injected huge investment in carrying out major waterworks treatment aimed to ensure a steady water supply to its populace.
According to him the ultimate goal of the water sector is to achieve universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation services in the state, this, in turn, will safeguard public health and ensure that citizens of the state live a more qualitative and productive life.
“The Governor of Jigawa, Badaru Abubakar was committed and aligned with the belief that water is one of the most important aspects of life and has a significant correlation with health and the general welfare of people, as such his government, considers the availability of potable water supply to the people as a critical factor for life and livelihood”.
“Jigawa state government acknowledges the positive correlation between improved water and sanitation services and health status of the population, thereby taking the issue of hygiene and improved access to safe drinking water and sanitation as a cardinal aspect of governance.
On the damaged water facilities in the state, he assured of the government’s commitments in effecting prompt services that will meet public demands on water supply.
“I have given the directive to my lieutenants to forward me their request on the procurement of all needed water facilities for prompt actions, and we are on course, he declare.
The Jigawa State water sector comprises the Ministry of Water Resources and its three agencies; Jigawa State Water Board (JSWB), Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (STOWA) and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA).
They are all positioned to resolve all issues identified as hindrances towards making portable water available to the state.
The vision was to provide a portable water supply and adequate sanitation that will contribute to eradicating water-related diseases and poverty in Jigawa State. By so doing, the government will promote water resources development and facilitate the provision of safe water and sanitation to the people through effective and efficient autonomous water administrations.
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