Kogi: Water scarcity hits Lokoja, Epidemic Imminent.

For over 4 weeks now, Lokoja, the Kogi state capital has been hit by acute shortage of water both for drinking and domestic use, posing serious health hazard if urgent steps are not taken to ameliorate the nasty situation.

Residents travel long distances in search of untreated water for both consumption and domestic use, following inability of the state water board to supply water to the general public.

Water vendors are making brisk business selling at cut throat prices ,while those that could not afford the exorbitant cost have resorted to the use of well water and in some places ponds where animals equally drink from.

The unfortunate situation has led to indiscriminate open defecation by people at any given space, which is occasioned by lack of water in the toilets. The places of convenience are all stinking and could cause, such cholera, dysentery and other communicable diseases.

Kogi: Water Scarcity Hits Lokoja, Health Hazards Imminent.

Some residents contacted for comments appealed to the state government to restore water immediately so as to save the people from hunger and diseases.

“We don’t know why they suddenly stopped water supply to the people, it is too important for human existence. Water is more important than food, because without water you can not prepare food.” Mallam Karim Jimoh observed in annoyance.

Another residence on Cemetery street Lokoja, Mrs Rebecca Ojo, said ” My Children now go to school late as we have to go round scavenging for water for bathing and cooking.”

“Water is now gold in Lokoja despite the rivers Niger and Benue God gave us free, but government refuse to let us drink and make good use of it.” Ndamusa Suleiman from Adankolo lamented.

Also Hon. Kabiru Yusuf a Lokoja based politician, lamented that the water scarcity is an invitation to health hazard that could result to epidemic. He said the situation has cast doubt on mind of the citizens as whether government still believe in the welfare of the citizens.

Yusuf said the scarcity has adversely affected all facet of life including food, businesses like pure and bottle water production and other necessities of life which requires use of water.

All efforts to reach the General Manager Kogi state Water Board failed, but some officials in the department who do not want their names mentioned, said the problem of water scarcity is from the state government as they failed to provide money for chemicals that will be used for water treatment.

According to the officials, the revenue generated by the board is back to government in compliance with the TSA policy.

Source: Idris Ahmed Lokoja.