WWD 2023: Water scarcity is a global problem that Yobe suffers – Yobe RUWASA GM
Story from Sa’adatu MAINA, Damaturu
General Manager of Yobe State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Abubakar L Baba, has said the problem of water scarcity is not only in Yobe but a global issue.
Abubakar L Baba made this known Tuesday in Damaturu during the 2023 World Water Day (WWD 2023) celebration organised by the Yobe State Government in collaboration with Mercy Corp, USAid, Water Aid and Taimako CDI.
He said, “The 2023 theme, “Accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis” is trying to call the attention of each and every person to own up to the responsibility to see that people secured the global water problem people have.
READ ALSO: UNICEF calls for increased investment in water, sanitation, hygiene services in Nigeria
“There is a need for you and I to change the way we are doing things, Yobe State Government under the administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni is making effort to improve water situation in the state, as the problem of water scarcity is not only in the state but the global problem”, Abubakar said.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of Hadejia, Jama’are, Kumadugu, Yobe River Basin Trust Fund, Professor Hassan Haruna Baliya, said it has reached a point that shortage or inability to meet the requirement of those in need of water has stated showing an impact on the livelihood and health of individuals as well as the economy.
Hassan Haruna stated that the World Water Day Celebration is an opportunity created by the United Nations body to enable concerned stakeholders, government, media, CSOs, Charity Organisations and Agencies to come together once a year on the 22 of March in commomration of the day that reminds people of the challenges that people are facing.
He revealed that people are now undergoing a situation which many professionals have termed as water crisis, simply because water which is a basic requirement for life is not in sufficient supply to meet the need of individuals or even other activities like agricultural livestock rearing and industrial production that depend on water.
He noted that in Nigeria, including Yobe State, only 10 to 15 per cent members of the public have access to safe water for drinking and sanitation in a formal way from the source that is treated.
“At most, only 67 per cent of the population that have access to any form of water which isn’t necessarily treated like water from walls, ponds, boreholes which has no treatments,” said Professor Bdliya.
