Unsafe Waters: Residents Struggles for Clean Water ‎ -By Shuaibu Sharifat

‎Yauri is one of the first Local Government created in 1976 by the Murtala/Obasanjo regime, the local government led by Chairman Hon. Abubakar Shuaibu, has constructed motorized boreholes across it’s 10 wards to reduce water shortages. Additionally, multi billion naira rehabilitation of the central Yauri Water Works has been initiated alongside the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission and the Kebbi State water Board to restore standard reticulation since 2024. Yet Yauri resident are seen suffering for clean water.
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‎Residents of several communities in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State continue to depend on untreated river water for drinking and domestic use despite growing concerns over water contamination and waterborne diseases. An investigation revealed that the lack of access to safe drinking water in Yauri has endanger thousands of resident health.
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‎Residents are seen buying river water from truck. The water is muddy, with visible debris and signs of pollution coming out of the pipe attached to the truck. Communities member said they had some alternative source of drinking water, then why are they not using?

‎Ramat Saidu from Kampala bread Area said she have been drinking river water since she was born and her health is always at risk everytime, she has been diagnosed with Thyphoid times without number not that we don’t have other options, we have pure waters and also some houses with borehole which we were told government did for us but even the pure water always have taste, odors so it’s unhygienic, while the people who have borehole I’m their home won’t allow us to fetch water till they felt like doing so, several times we were asked to fetch water into their house before we can fetch our own water which is humiliating. The one government are doing for us since 2024 we are only seeing tank on one of the mountains but for like two years now, we have not see any changes or good news. We are tired of waiting, tired of this life.

Rahama Attahiru from Gungun Sarki bayan salama said over the years,the water has become brownish and sometimes cloudy, with a bad smell and an unpleasant taste, some people in the community have suffered from diarrhea, typhoid fever, and cholera stomach pain, skin rashes, and other waterborne disease after using the water, still looking forward to the government authorities, encourage proper waste disposal, some people rely on borehole water,wells,or purchase sachets water,in a few cases water is supplied through water trunk which is unsafe.

‎Mallam Aliyu Manu also said ” we’ve suffered enough, with the way everywhere is civilized, with technology, Yauri is still facing the challenges with portable water. We know the effects of this water on our health is bad but we really don’t have choice”
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‎Dr. Usman Asgogo, the owner of Asgogo Medical center said “they treated many residents suffering from salmonellosis, cholera, hepatitis B and C which are all caused by drinking of this water, he further said this water can caused typhoid fever and diarrhea and the residents should take precautions, avoiding drinking untreated water for consumption or domestic usage”.
‎The only recommendation I can give is for the Government to provide sources of good water supply to yauri metropolis such as boreholes, free water guard supply and chlorine to enable consumers to treat water before uses or consumption.
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‎Interview on one the leaders in Yauri Local Government, Alhaji Lawali Manu, Magajin Rafi Yauri and also a civil servants revealed that the government are already working on the water which was organized by the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission ( N- HYPPADEC) the pipes that will be allocating water to each and everyone has already been established at each place so everything is ongoing he said the residents will receive a joyful news from our side soon.
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‎Health kept declining each passing day, many lost their life to diseases caused by contaminated water, how long will the people have to wait, Yauri has been created for more than three decades yet they’re still having challenges with portable water challenges which is uncalled for.