By Nathaniel Nongu
Water scarcity has hit the people of Asukunya, Akpa communities of Tarkaa Local Government Areas of Benue State.
Residents of the areas who spoke to our correspondent Monday, lamented that the lack of water in their communities was becoming unbearable for them, stressing that their only source of water was from the steam but noted it’s contamination owing the activities of herds of caws which according to them drinks from the same source.
A resident of Asukunya community, Faashima Kyuum, said the issue of water has been bothering the community for years noting that efforts from some members of the settlement in addressing the scarcity of water were unsuccessful due the cost involved in digging a motorized borehole.
On her part, Mrs Roseline Chen, also of the Asukunya community said that the continuous search of water was becoming alarming stressing that women live their houses early in the morning traveling to far distances in search of water.
Also speaking, Mr Patrick Agber of Akpa said that they had mobilized and dug a wheel but it dries up every dry season because of the high volume of people that sourced water from it and called on the Government to come to the aid of the community by providing a borehole for them.
Another resident of Akpa, Mrs Mbayiman Peter, who also seeks Government’s intervention said that women put themselves at the risk of searching for water even at the dark hours saying that with the influx of herders in their community they do not feel safe and secured going all out in search of water and called for the intervention of well to do individuals in looking into the plight of the people.
When contacted, the Commissioner of Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change Benue State, Ugwu Odoh who urged the people to be patient, assured of Governments readiness to supply water in all parts of the State.
He further stated that the Government will do everything possible to address the challenges of water in the State.
