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By Correspondent in Lokoja.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Abdulmumunin Danga, has assured that water taps would start running from tommorow, this is as for about a week going, water pumps in Lokoja, Kogi state capital, have remained dry.
The scarcity of potable water in the past week have led to an increase in the demand for table water, thenigerianpost reports.
Speaking with the Nigerianpost On the water scarcity, the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Abdumumin Danga, said that the greater Lokoja water treatment plant was undergoing routine maintenance which was to last a week.
He said the maintenance became necessary to avoid a breakdown of the plant completely, assured that residents living in Ganaja would from tommorow get supply while those in the other parts would start receiving after tomorrow.
For a week running, water pumps in Lokoja have remained dry thus forcing an increase in the demand for table water, thenigerianpost reports.
Our Correspondent in Lokoja reports that most residents who spoke on the issue on Sunday, in separate interviews, described the development as unacceptable of a state capital with high population of people and with so many businesses with potable water as one of the essential commodities of operations.
Malam Mohammed Lawal, Mr Christopher Abimiku, Mr Lawrence Taiwo, Okatahi Aliyu, and Hajia Ramatu Ibrahim, residing at various locations in Lokoja, said the scarcity of the commodity had brought untold hardship to them and their families.
“For the past week, I have been buying sachet water for drinking, in some instances for cooking, and resorting to well water for washing and to accomplish domestic activities. Needless saying this is not healthy enough for the public.
“It is high time the state government find lasting solution to this problem that is fast becoming a recurring decimal with telling effects on the social and economic life of the people, “Hajia Ramatu said.
Okatahi, who said that he has bore hole in his house ask, ” but what about those who don’t have such facility in their houses,what should they do, your guess as good as mine.”
As at time of press, sellers of table water, a commodity popularly called “pure water”, described the scarcity as blessing in disguise to their business, adding that it has boosted sales, turnover, increased profit and the smile to their banks.
“Though I am not happy that Lokoja is going through scarcity of potable water at the moment but such is life.The phenomenon has led to increase in the demand for my product with attendant improved sales, Richard Akintola, one of the sellers of pure water in Lokoja told our correspondent.
But the cheering news from the Commissioner, has however given hope to the hardship faced residents, particularly with the cessation of the rains and hope that the taps would run continuously now that the rains are over.
