Residents of FCT Community Express Concerns Over Water Shortage

The persistent water crisis in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), particularly affecting rural areas and satellite towns, has forced residents in Kulo, located in the Rubochi ward of the Kuje Area Council, to resort to digging into dry streambeds to retrieve water.

Community members have likened their plight to “hell,” a sentiment echoed across numerous villages in the region.

During a visit by Abuja Metro to one of the arid streams on Saturday, locals reported that they must wait two to three hours after digging in the sand for enough water to accumulate. They then use calabashes to scoop the water into basins for transport to their homes.

Access to potable drinking water has been a longstanding issue for this community, particularly during the dry season. Residents are compelled to tackle steep hills daily in search of water for their household needs.

Mrs. Rachel Musa, a housewife approached at the stream, voiced her frustrations, detailing how she and her daughters awaken as early as 4 a.m. to embark on the journey to fetch water.

“No matter how early you wake up to reach the stream, you will still find a line of basins waiting,” she stated. “Other women are already there, anticipating their turn to collect water.”

She further explained that after obtaining the water, it must be treated with alum to ensure it is safe for drinking, cooking, or laundry.

Another resident, Mrs. Grace Barnabas, described the ongoing situation as “hell” as well, emphasizing that she often wakes in the middle of the night to join other women at the stream.

“It’s distressing to see an elderly woman, relying on a walking stick, climbing this hill with a basin on her back after waiting an hour for water. Isn’t that a serious challenge?” she lamented. “It is alarming that an elderly person, who should ideally be resting at home, is forced to traverse such distances. This underscores the water crisis Kulo has faced for many years.”

Community elder Mr. Shebwaza Ayuba expressed his dissatisfaction over the lack of response from the Area Council despite numerous appeals.

He noted that the community’s growing population starkly contrasts with the ongoing issue of limited access to clean water.

Mr. Ayuba stated that the only operational borehole in the area was installed through Senator Philip Aduda’s efforts. He acknowledged the borehole and overhead tank, which serves the entire community, while criticizing the outgoing Kuje administration for failing to resolve the water crisis in Kulo for over seven years.

He mentioned that the already installed borehole had recently malfunctioned, forcing the village back to the dry streambeds.

“I have personally sent letters to the outgoing chairman of the Kuje Area Council more than four times seeking intervention. Unfortunately, nothing has been done, and the government has only three months left in its term,” he added but expressed hope that the incoming chairman might finally address the long-standing problem.

In addition to the water scarcity issue, Mr. Ayuba highlighted the deplorable condition of the road connecting Kulo to Rubochi.

He explained that the bad road network inhibits farmers from transporting their produce to the Rubochi or Abaji markets.

“The road is in terrible shape. The asphalt ends right after Rubochi Secondary School; the remainder leading to this community is in a deplorable condition,” he commented.

Mr. Ayuba urged the government to repair the road before the onset of the rainy season to aid local farmers.

A representative from the Kuje Area Council and aide to the outgoing chairman, Abdullahi Suleiman Sabon, who preferred to remain unnamed, informed our reporter via phone that Kulo is included in the current budget.

“The truth is that the drilling and rehabilitation of dysfunctional boreholes in various villages in the Rubochi ward, including Kulo, are already incorporated in the budget,” the official confirmed.