Sokoto, – An acute scarcity of potable water has hit Sokoto city and environs, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
A NAN Correspondent who went round the city learnt that the problem which started about three weeks ago had now worsened.
Residents say a 25-litre container of water now sells for between N50 to N100 as against N20 to N30.
Residents of all ages, including school children were seen roaming the streets in search of water, with some getting water from streams and Rima river for their household uses.
One of the residents, Usman Aliyu described the situation as “ very serious” and called for urgent intervention to prevent outbreak of water borne diseases.
Already, a bundle of sachet water has gone up from N100 to N120.
The General Manager, Sokoto State Water Board, Malam Moyi Tambuwal, attributed the water scarcity to the destruction of some electric poles on the dedicated power line supplying electricity to Sokoto water works.
Tambuwal added that the problem had been aggravated by low hours of power supply by Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company.
”We are now getting a supply of between two to three hours daily, as against the nearly nine to 10 hours we require per day.
”As for the faulty electric poles , our engineers are working to rectify the problem latest by the end of today, Wednesday May 11,” he added.(NAN)
