In Niger state, the people of Numbwa Tukura community, Suleja LGA, have not had access to clean water for over 8 years. Tracka visited the community in May 2023 for a sensitization meeting and discovered their plight.
There is only one stream in the community that provides dirty water to over 3,000 residents, and they have no option but to drink the mixture and use it to cook, clean, and farm.
During the sensitization meeting with Tracka, the dwellers lamented the situation and how it affects their lives.
Tanko, a resident, narrated how the community also lacks other basic amenities.
“This government have completely forgotten about us, and over a decade, we haven’t seen any touch from the government. We do not have water, electricity, or a medical system in the community, so we have to travel to town for treatment even during emergencies.“
There is no avenue to treat serious medical issues because there is no health facility in the area. The community uses a vigilante post as its makeshift clinic to attend to immediate cases.
Last year, there was a cholera outbreak in the community, and the affected people had to be rushed to the medical centre 10km from the village. Luckily, no life was lost during the outbreak.
In 2015, the local government constructed a borehole in the community and stopped working immediately after the commissioning. All efforts to fix it by the people to get it working were unsuccessful.
Lack of clean, safe, and quality drinking water is a major cause of several infectious diseases, including cholera and typhoid. The community is calling on the government to intervene and fix this problem.
We call on Hon. Abdullahi Shuaibu Maje, the Chairman of Suleja Local Government, Hon-Elect Tanko Adamu representing Suleja/Tafa/Gurara Federal Constituency, Sen. Musa Mohammed Sani, the Senator Niger East Senatorial district, and the incoming governor, Mohammed Umar Bago to intervene and provide a sustainable water source for the community including a good primary healthcare facility.
Story by Moses Motoni and Ayomide Ladipo
