Residents of Jibia Local Government have been facing an intensifying water scarcity crisis for over a month, causing severe disruptions to daily life. The shortage, worsened by the theft of essential equipment, including armored cables, has left the community without access to clean water, increasing the hardship faced by many.

According to Kamala Sabiu, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Water Board in Jibia Local Government, the theft of critical equipment has severely impacted water supply operations. “The theft has crippled our ability to function, and the lack of water treatment chemicals has made it impossible to pump water,” Sabiu stated. Compounding the problem, the local water reservoir is filled with loamy soil, further delaying efforts to restore water services.

The vandalism of the armored cables has dealt a significant blow to the infrastructure, making repairs to essential equipment difficult and hindering the restoration of water distribution to the community.

Local residents, like Sa'adatu Muhammad, voiced their frustration over the situation. “We are struggling to survive in these tough economic conditions,” she lamented. “Life has become unbearable without water, and the cost of a single load of water in a wheelbarrow has risen to over 700 naira.” Many families, unable to afford the rising cost of water, are finding the situation increasingly desperate.

Local sources indicate that the authorities are aware of the issue, and efforts to resolve the crisis are ongoing. However, the community continues to call for more urgent action to address the water shortage and tackle the underlying issue of vandalism that has worsened the problem.