By Cheme Ahanbee Ernest
Residents of Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government are currently facing severe water challenges as many struggles to no avail for drinking water, calling for government intervention.
When our correspondent visited the Naka earth dam which is the source of water in the area, it was a beehive activity as many residents traveled for a long distance to scoop water from the dam which is unhealthy for consumption.
Narrating the situation, a house wife, Orhena Evelyn who leaves at kpankeeke area of Naka town lamented the challenges faced by residence as a result of the scarcity of water in the area saying “many people have moved from their villages to Naka, following persistent attack on local communities thereby compounding the scarcity”
Mrs Orhena appeals for government’s intervention. “Government should construct another dam to add to the already existing water dam in the area to alleviate the suffering and meet up with the growing population in the area”.
Another resident, Adoki Susan, a student of Cadina secondary school Naka, said, she has decided to absent herself from school to enable her get some water to wash clothes and for other uses.
She lamented that the condition of the water is not fit for drinking, and as such appeal that “The government should repair the Naka Mini Water works to enable residents have access to clean and hygienic water.
Speaking further with a commercial water seller (truck pusher), Ikyo Alfred, expressed dismay over the scarcity of water in the area. He said despite being a commercial water seller, he is not happy selling water while others are struggling to get water that is not worth drinking, added that even though the business is profitable the water poses a serious health risk.
According to investigation, the Naka earth dam which is the source of water in the area was constructed in 1986 to serve a population of about 3,000 residents, has been over stretch by the growing population as a result of farmers herders’ crisis in Benue State and Gwer West in particular.
