Residents groan as water scarcity hits Damaturu

Three days after a blackout in Damaturu, after Boko Haram insurgents destroyed an electricity tower supplying power to the city, residents have been subjected to torment due to water scarcity and a blackout of electricity. 

The city and Crime desk learnt that the problem has affected the larger population of people who groan under the situation, especially civil servants, households, and businesses, forcing them to complain.   

Most of the residents who spoke with Daily Trust complained of the high cost of water, saying a fully loaded water cart (12 jerry cans) which previously cost between N200 and N250 is now N1000 or N1200. 

Malam Adamu, a resident of Shagari Quarters in Damaturu said he bought 12 jerry cans of water at N1000 instead of N250. 

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‘‘Before this blackout, we used to buy 12 jerry cans between N200 and N250, but now I just bought 12 jerry cans at the cost of N1000 if care is not taken the price might go up to N1500,’’ he said.  

Daily Trust reports that more than 70 per cent of Damaturu residents get water from commercial boreholes, while most of the boreholes within the city are connected to electricity forcing commercial borehole owners to switch to generators to pump water as the price of diesel and petroleum increased. 

It was gathered that the problem did not only affect households and civil servants but also affected the businesses in the city. 

Malam Hamishu, a washman in the city, said his clients are waiting for him to wash their clothes and he could not make the deadline they gave him due to a lack of water to wash the clothes on time. 

However, the state government has expressed commitment to address the situation. A statement signed by the Secretary to the Yobe State Government said, ‘‘Governor Mai Mala Buni has contacted the federal government for the reconstruction of the vandalised 330 KVA towers. The TCN has already awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the affected towers. 

‘‘Meanwhile order to provide alternative power to Damaturu and its environs, Governor Mai Mala Buni has directed the State Rural Electrification Board (REB) and the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) to restore the 33KV line from Potiskum to Damaturu with immediate effect.,’ he said.  

He added that, ‘‘The general public is therefore enjoined to kindly exercise patience as the government is doing everything possible to address the situation.’’