Niger State capital, Minna, and its environs are currently facing acute shortage of potable water due to non-supply of pipe borne water by the state Ministry of Water Resources and Dams Development for almost two weeks.
Taps have since dried up and residents resorted to scooping water from stagnant waters for domestic use even as water vendors popularly called ‘mai-ruwa’ have also increased the price of a truck load (10 plastic kegs) from N200 about two weeks ago to N400 and above, depending on the location and source of water supplied.
Already, sachet water, popularly called ‘pure water’ have also disappeared from many homes thereby exposing residents to possible outbreak of water borne disease if the scarcity said to have been caused by breakdown of one of the components in the ministry persists.
While some water packaging factories have simply closed shops or suspended business in observance of the prevalent situation, others according to Daily Independent findings secretly sustain supply to their regular customers particularly those on bulk purchase.
Contrary to claims of breakdown of one of the components, unconfirmed source had it that the shortage was due to breach of contractual agreement and indebtedness to one of the contractors supplying the state with water treatment materials.
Speaking on the challenges caused by the trend within Minna metropolis and environs, a resident of Minna, Mrs. Mariam Bitrus who operates a restaurant expressed fears of possible outbreak of water borne diseases if the scarcity persists.
source: independent
