Water scarcity hits Damaturu over vandals’ electric towers felling
By Tada Juthan
The recent vandalisation of two 330 kVA electricity towers of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has plunged Damaturu into darkness along with the scarcity of portable water in the state capital and its environs.
Residents have been frustrated in getting the supply of water, as dozens of diesel-powered boreholes could not supply water to houses and other institutions in the metropolis.
Consequently, the business of water vending to the affected residents and institutions was, however, halted by the lack of electricity in powering the boreholes.
Shettima Muktar, a resident of Abba Ibrahim Housing Estate, Damaturu, said: “The felling of two electric towers by vandals has plunged us not only into darkness but caused scarcity of portable water for over a week.”
He stated the scarcity of water has affected the daily activities of workers, including subjecting women and children to fetching water from wells and unsafe ponds.
Muktar appealed to the government to take concrete measures in restoring the supply of water through the boreholes, stating that his will alleviate their two-week sufferings.
Confirming the scarcity of water yesterday (Sunday), in Damaturu, the General Manager, Yobe State Water Corporation, Engr. Mahdi Zarma, attributed the water scarcity to connecting the boreholes to the national grid.
He said that once there is a power outage, all the boreholes stop supplying portable water to residences, markets, hospitals, and other institutions in Damaturu and its environs.
Muktar said, “We are struggling to get water for our daily needs.
“We urge the authorities to take immediate action to repair the tower and ensure our water supply is restored,” adding this is a basic human right that could not wait any longer.
The state government has pledged to address the issue, but residents are sceptical about the timeline for uninterrupted water supply.
“We have been promised solutions before, but nothing has changed,” said Hajiya Amina Audu, a housewife,” stating that urgent actions are needed and not pledges of restoring water supply to residences.
The vandalisation of critical infrastructure has highlighted concerns about sabotage and the need for increased security measures.
The general manager said that the government is making efforts to address the water problem through an increased supply of diesel to the boreholes.
According to him, a contract for connecting all the boreholes to solar power will commence on Monday, which he said is part of efforts by the government to address water scarcity in the state capital and beyond.
He also assured the people that the state government has received the supply of diesel.
“Actually, we’re increasing the supply of the diesel to the Yobe State Water Corporation this week,” said the GM.
He, therefore, urged the people to make judicious use of the diesel being increased, warning that the government will closely monitor in order to improve the supply of portable water in the state.
