Lagos — For the residents of Lafiyan Sara in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, the recent inauguration of a solar-powered borehole complex for the community came like a dream, considering their long years of suffering as a result of the non-availability of potable water.

Mr. Peter Danbiram, the Chief of Lafiyan Sara, recalls that over the years, the residents had relied on streams, rainwater and other unhygienic sources of water for their daily water needs, with the attendant risks of contracting water-borne diseases.

It was no surprise, therefore, that the residents rolled out the drums to celebrate their good fortune, following the Bauchi State Government's intervention.

"The gesture by the government in providing water for us will remain indelible in the minds of our people, as well as other benefiting neighbouring communities," Danbiram stresses.

Observers note that Lafiyan Sara and Bamja in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area are some of the several communities across the country which lack potable water for their residents.

They also note that the recent feats in Bauchi State were the result of a joint effort by the state government, the Office of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Bauchi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BAURUWASSA).

Government officials are, however, quick to point out that out of the 45 million gallons of water required by residents of the Bauchi metropolis daily, only 2.5 million gallons were available when the present administration came on board in 2007.

The Commissioner of Water Resources, Mr. Bukata Bukar, recalls that the water supply situation before the new administration came into power was pathetic.

"Taking the Bauchi metropolis as a case study, the water supply from the dam at that time was in the region of 25 per cent to 30 per cent of its installed capacity.

"This, we found out, was due to broken-down generators, epileptic power supply from PHCN and malfunctioning transformers at the Gubi Dam water treatment plant," he said.

Bukar recalls that Gov. Isa Yuguda immediately approved the purchase of new generators and transformers at over N158 million, in order to ameliorate the power problems.

"This effort resulted in the increase in the water supply from the dam, from 2.5 million gallons to 10 million gallons of water per day.

"Similarly, another smaller water treatment plant was reconstructed at Gubi Dam at the cost of N443.2 million and the plant provides an additional 2.5 million gallons per day, thus bringing the combined water supply to 12.5 million gallons per day," Bukar said.

In Azare, Misau, as well as in other towns and villages, the state government has also provided wells with hand pumps and motorised boreholes to boost water supply to the people.

Keen observers say that other communities, which have benefited from various water schemes in the state, include Bogoro, Kari and Gololo.

These communities had been having serious water supply problems over the years.

According to Bukar, about 205 solar-powered and motorised borehole projects have been completed and inaugurated, while another set of 59 wells fitted with hand pumps were provided.

"Besides, water treatment chemicals were made available by the government and this has been very helpful in sustaining the current level of water supply," he said.

BAURUWASSA is the major government agency that has facilitated water supply across the state.

Its Project Manager, Malam Garba Magaji, says that in over three years, the agency executed 120 water projects in communities, schools and health facilities in Dass, Kirfi, Darazo, Giade, Zaki and Dambam local government areas.

He said that the improved water supply has drastically reduced the incidence of guinea worm disease afflictions in the state.

Observers note that the state government's partnership with the Federal Government via the Conditional Grants Scheme (CGS) of the Office the MDGs has facilitated the drilling of over 100 solar-powered boreholes and 200 hand-pumped wells across the state.

Hajiya Hajara Wanka, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on MDGs, says that about N4 billion was expended in providing boreholes, using the 2007 and 2008 grants.

She said that most of the water projects were sited in the remotest parts of the state, pledging that the government will not relent in its efforts to attain a total coverage of the state in the water supply programme.

"Despite these laudable efforts aimed at providing water to the people of the state, much needs to be done to ensure adequate provision of water," she said.

There is, however, a troubling dimension to the government's efforts to improve water supply services. During a recent visit by officials of the Governors' Forum, Yuguda raised alarm that the Gubi Dam, the main source of water, was at the verge of collapse due to age.

He said that a deep crack had been noticed at the dam and that even though the state government had made initial repairs, there was still the need for the Federal Government's intervention, as a collapse could pose a serious ecological problem.

In spite of the efforts of the state government, the water supply problems of the state are far from over, as more communities that are yearning for potable water have been inundating the Ministry of Water Resources with numerous requests.

However, Mrs. Leritmwa John, a housewife residing in Yelwa community, calls on the state government to come to the aid of the residents over their acute water problems.

State officials acknowledge that similar requests have also come from Rafin Zurfi, Wuntin Dada, Gudum Sayawa and Gudum Hausawa communities, among others.

Reacting to such requests, Bukar assures the people that the government is not relenting in its efforts, stressing: "These communities should exercise patience; we are going to address most of their requests soon."

A water expert, Dr Hassan Bdliya, says that the increased demand for water for domestic, industrial and other sundry uses by the citizens has exerted pressure on the water agencies.

Bdliya, who is the Administrative Secretary of the Hadejia-Jamare-Komadugu-Yobe River Basin Development Authority, however, stresses the need for maximal utilisation of the nation's water resources.

Health analysts note that many diseases that afflict the people could be attributed to drinking unhygienic water and by the statistics of the WHO and UNICEF; an estimated 1.8 million children under the age of five worldwide die from water-related diseases every year.

They, therefore, call on relevant agencies and stakeholders to decisively address the water supply problems of the citizens.

For many citizens of Bauchi State, the government is doing a good thing but they, nonetheless, urge the government not to relent in its efforts until all the communities in the state have unlimited access to potable water.

NANFeatures