The scarcity of potable water, a fundamental human necessity, remains a significant challenge for Tunga Maje, leading residents to endure long queues while patronizing water vendors as their only viable option.
According to reports from Daily Trust Saturday, this lack of access to clean water is not only a local concern but a global issue, with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) highlighting the role of inadequate water supply in contributing to diarrheal outbreaks worldwide.
Community leader Isiaku Na’anabi expressed the ongoing struggle, stating, “Water had been our basic challenge in this community for a long time until the government built two water reservoirs and a borehole in some areas. However, both water reservoir tanks are insufficient to meet the needs of the entire community, because we also lack the necessary power supply for consistent functionality.”
Na’anabi further explained that the borehole, which was intended to address the water needs of the community, is no longer operational due to repeated damages. Efforts by the community to repair it have been unsuccessful, leaving residents without a viable alternative.
He also mentioned the installation of a solar borehole that was later removed at night by the same people who installed it, with promises of returning another day, which they have yet to fulfill.
The community leader alleged that despite multiple notifications to the government regarding their water challenges, there has been no positive response.
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Residents are now resorting to buying water from vendors, with some waking up early in the morning to stand in long queues. Blessing Nmadu, a resident, expressed her daily struggles, stating, “Since I relocated to this community, I have been battling with water issues. I work in the city center, so I wake up as early as 4.30 am to buy water from a vendor, which I think is unfair.”
Mardiyatu Adamu, a water vendor, highlighted the economic implications, saying, “I dug the borehole to ease the stress of getting water. Likewise, I collect money from people depending on the bucket size, and the lowest price is N20.” She called on the FCT water board to urgently address the situation.
Residents are buying a wheelbarrow load of water at the rate of N500, while water hawkers purchase it at N200. This situation is particularly challenging for those who cannot afford to invest in water borehole businesses.
Abubakar Musa, another resident, emphasized that the high cost of water tanks and sporadic power supply further hinder widespread access to water. Tunga Maje residents are now urging the government to intervene urgently and address this pressing issue affecting their daily lives.