Residents of Mubi in Adamawa have appealed to the state government to provide hand pumps to enhance access to potable water in the area.
The people were facing water shortages occasioned by the prevailing dry season as most of the available open wells had dried up.
A cross section of the residents, who spoke to newsmen in Mubi on Monday, expressed worry over acute water scarcity in the area.
However, most of the existing bore holes had broken down due to poor maintenance by the communities.
Most families in Mubi and adjourning villages were now relying on unwholesome water from the vendors.
Adamu Inuwa, a resident, said that he relied on water hawkers in spite of its impurity.
Inuwa said the open well in his home often dried up during the dry season due to the mountainous nature of the environment, a situation, which, he added, exposed them to difficulties and health hazards.
“We rely on water from the vendors despite its impurity. The water is sourced from hand pumps on river banks.
“It must be boiled and purified to make it safe for consumption, the trend is causing heavy drain in my pocket.”
Joshua Dauda, another resident, urged the state government to rehabilitate the Mubi water treatment plant and upgrade the reticulation system to enhance water supply in the area.
Commenting on the situation, Mr Simon Tonpeyo, the Acting Administrator, Mubi South Local Government Area, said the council had procured water tankers to enhance water supply.
“We are providing free water services to families in the affected areas; arrangement has been concluded to repair the obsolete hand pumps.”
The water hawkers, locally called “Mai-Moya” are making brisk businesses due to the increasing demand of their services.
A 20 litre of water is being sold for N15 as against its previous price of N10 before the dry season.
Lawan Katuka, a water vendor, said he was making about N1, 000 a day due to the appreciable patronage.
Katuka, who described the trade as ‘lucrative’, added that he purified the water before selling it to buyers.
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