By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The residents of Matari West Community, Sabon Tasha in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has lamented the acute water shortage bedeviling their area.
Investigation by Daily News Precise showed that the community with an estimated population of over 150,000 residents has been having this persistent problem of dry taps. To many, this problem has been lingering for too long and there seems to be no end in sight.
The Chief of Matari West Community, Deacon Bawa Arege, while speaking on the situation expressed dismay that politicians while canvasing for votes always make provision of pipe-born water one of their campaign promises, but immediately they are elected into office, they dumped the community.
Deacon Arege also lamented that in the community there is no light, water and good roads which has made life difficult for the residents. However, he said sucour was brought to the area few weeks ago when Evangelist Matthew Owojaiye sunk in two boreholes in the community.
According to him, this is what corporate organizations like the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) and wealthy individuals are supposed to do, but they have left it for the man of God.
The Evangelist who just lost his beloved wife according to Deacon Arege needed money for other things, but choses to sink the boreholes because he saw the sufferings of the people in the area on water. This is what I call true man of God
“I was at home when one of his staff came and told me that the Evangelist in commemoration of his wife’s death wants to appreciate God for that and by so doing, he want the community around his domain to feel that impact.
“And he want to sink two boreholes one in Kanti Agah area and another by the LGEA Primary School, therefore as the Chief of the area, I should provide a location for the borehole.
“See my tap here it is getting to 10 years since I was disconnected, not because I was not paying. I was faithfully paying my bills regularly but no water. What is the reason, they can’t tell us,” he said.
He however said that the present government is doing its best, saying it is not the person on the seat that matters, but the people around him. He may have a very good intention but to carry it out by his team is the problem; advising that the Governor should be wary of those who will give him advice that will lead to his failure.
“The raining season is at the corner and our roads are dilapidated with potholes that even on foot people find it very difficult to visit neighbors.
“I know government have many children, but you cannot satisfy all of them, we in Matari West Community are playing my part. Most of these drainages and small culverts you see around are being constructed through the communal efforts of residents. And I want to thank the youth team in this community, they have been very cooperative and hardworking,” he added.
In his own remarks, the Youth Leader of Matari West, Mr. Toyin Johnson said he really appreciate God for the life of the youth of the community. He added that residents of the community have been suffering while going up and down in search of water.
According to him, there are taps in the community but never brings out water. It is like the taps are for fancy, and they don’t really know what the problem is. He called for government’s assistance.
A resident Mr. Samuel who works with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) said for some time now people in the community are suffering to get water and to even have their bath is now a hot cake.
“Seriously I don’t know what is happening. If Government will come to our rescue we will be glad. Today is even better that is why the queue is not much. This our neighbor has really been helpful if not, I don’t know what would have happened to us. He has been a nice neighbor so we thank God for him,” he said.
Another resident Mr. Innocent Okon, a Welder, said water scarcity is a serious issue in the community and called on the government to come to their aid.
“We normally trekked 1 to 2kilometers to get water for our households. That is the problem we are facing here. So we need government’s intervention,” he pleaded.