Abuja, Nigeria – Over 5,000 residents of the Shapi community in Gumbu ward, Kwali Area Council, Abuja, have been struggling with a lack of access to clean water for decade.
The community depends on a contaminated stream shared with animals, leading to frequent outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.According to community leaders, multiple appeals have been made to local authorities over the years, but no sustainable solution has been implemented.
The dire water crisis has left residents vulnerable, with many resorting to unsafe water sources for their daily needs.”We have suffered for too long. Our children fall sick regularly, and we have no alternative but to fetch water from the same source as animals,” lamented a resident, Ibrahim Musa.
Medical professionals in the area have expressed concern over the health implications of consuming unsafe water, urging immediate intervention. “Contaminated water is a leading cause of preventable diseases.
The government must act fast to prevent further outbreaks,” stated Dr. Aisha Bello, a public health expert.The residents are now making a desperate plea to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to prioritize the provision of potable water in the community.”We urge the FCT Minister to come to our aid. Access to clean water is a basic human right, and we deserve better,” said community leader Alhaji Sani Abdullahi.Civil society organizations and advocacy groups have also joined the call for urgent action, stressing the need for infrastructural development to ensure clean and safe water supply in rural communities within the FCT.
As the dry season intensifies, the need for immediate intervention becomes even more pressing. Residents hope that their voices will be heard and that a lasting solution will be provided to end decades of water scarcity in Shapi community.
