One Year After Flood: Maiduguri Residents Still Struggle for Safe Drinking Water Despite Government Boreholes -By Aisha Usman Yusuf

It has been over a year since the heavy flood that destroyed major water pipelines and reservoirs in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. Yet, residents in several parts of the city continue to face difficulties accessing clean and safe drinking water.

After the disaster, the Borno State Government responded quickly by drilling boreholes in affected communities to reduce the hardship caused by the damaged pipelines. The intervention was widely appreciated and has so far provided relief to many households.

However, some residents say the water from most of the boreholes is not suitable for drinking due to its unpleasant taste and quality. Many now use it only for bathing and washing while buying drinking water from vendors.

In the Mafoni area, a resident, Alhaji Sale, commended the government for its effort but pleaded for improvement. He noted that although the intervention was helpful, the water produced by the boreholes was not drinkable and urged the authorities to identify and correct the problem.

Similar complaints have been reported in Lamisula, Kumshe, Bayan Quarters, and other parts of the city. Residents say only a few can afford to buy clean water daily, as the price of a 25-litre jerrycan now ranges between ₦100 and ₦150.

Some community members believe the problem may be due to poor drilling or lack of proper testing before the boreholes were completed. They are calling on the Ministry of Water Resources and relevant agencies to revisit the affected areas and ensure that the water provided meets safe drinking standards.

Despite these challenges, residents have continued to appreciate the government’s quick response after the flood and encouraged it to maintain close supervision of the ongoing water projects to ensure a lasting solution.

Another resident said the government had tried and that people were grateful for its efforts, but he stressed that the provision of clean drinking water remained the most urgent need of the communities.

As the dry season approaches, many fear that the water situation may worsen if the issue is not urgently addressed. Residents are hopeful that with another phase of intervention, Maiduguri’s water challenge will soon be overcome.

Aisha Usman Yusuf
Department of Mass Communication
Kashim Ibrahim University