By Nwamulunamma Ogbunka, Abuja
The village head of Idu, the host community of Idu Industrial Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Mohammed Bawa Makama, has appealed to the government and private organisations to urgently restore pipe-borne water supply to Idu and surrounding communities that have been without water for nearly a week.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Makama said the outage had affected Idu, Old Karmo, New Karmo, and other villages linked to the same pipeline serving the Idu Industrial Area. Residents, he said, have been forced to trek long distances to fetch water from limited borehole sources.
“For almost one week now there has been no water in Idu and the environment. The pipeline is down, and everyone is suffering,” Makama said. He urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Abuja Municipal Area Council to investigate the cause and repair the pipeline immediately.
The traditional ruler noted with concern that the prolonged scarcity could lead to a public health crisis, stressing that water is essential for daily living. “Water is life. You cannot cook, wash, drink, or even bathe without it. A child cannot start life without water,” he said.
Makama also appealed for the drilling of a borehole at his palace to serve as an alternative water source for the community. He said the existing borehole in the area was insufficient and often far from many households, making it difficult for women and children.
He recounted how the water shortage was affecting school attendance, citing a case where a woman had to walk far to fetch water before preparing her children for school, causing them to arrive late and be turned back. “If we have water here, mothers can bath their children quickly and send them to school on time,” he said.
The village head called on AMAC, FCTA, and private organisations to intervene, noting that a borehole at the palace would serve many residents when the main supply or other boreholes break down. “Please, I need a borehole in front of my palace. It will help us in times like this,” he pleaded, adding: “Water is life. You cannot cook, wash, drink, or even bathe without it. A child cannot start life without water.”
Residents say they are managing with the little water available from boreholes, but fear the situation could worsen if repairs are delayed. With the Salah period approaching, they say the need for a reliable water supply has become even more urgent.