School kids trek long distances for water as scarcity hits Sokoto

Acute shortage of potable water has hit the capital city of Sokoto and its environs, forcing people to leave their homes at wee hours in search of the major resource. .

Investigation by Blueprint showed the scarcity has adversely affected school session as children are forced to trek long distances in search of water.

The week-long scarcity worsened between Monday and Tuesday as people of all ages were seen carrying jerrycans in search of water.

Some residents who spoke to this reporter said they had resorted to water vendors who took advantage of the situation to hike the fee of a 20-litre jerrycan of water from N25 to N70.

“We call on the governor of Sokoto state, Barrister Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to do something urgent. The water vendors are taking the advantage of the situation to hike their prices, it is unfortunate,” some residents interviewed said.

When approached for comments, General Manager, Sokoto state Water Board, Alhaji Moyi Tambuwal, attributed the scarcity to seasonal deflation of the River Rima, which has been the main source of water to its treatment plants.

He said the deflation had been recurring for several decades, causing water supply shortages in the Sokoto metropolis.

Tambuwal also said another factor that contributed to the scarcity was the damage done to the main electricity transformer that serves the treatment and pumping plants in the state, following power upsurge.

He said Governor Tambuwal had since approved the installation of a new transformer for the water board plants, and that the staff were working round the clock to ensure the transformer was installed.

The general manger also said as part of efforts to bring an end to the water shortage, the governor had sought the release of water from the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA) from Maradun which had since commenced.

He expressed appreciation for the understanding and support of the people of the state and environs on the water shortage, assuring the water scarcity would soon be history.

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