By IKE UCHECHUKWU

INYIMA—WATER shortage has hit eight communities in Yakkur Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Investigation by Niger Delta Voice revealed that most of the boreholes and overhead tanks supplying water to Mkpani, Ekori, Nko, Inyima, Asigga, Ugep and others have become moribund.

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross-River State

It was learned that water supply to the communities come from the Cross River State Water Board substation at Itigidi in Abi local government area, which is under the Cross River State Water Board Limited, CRSWBL.

Clan head of Inyima , Eval Ferdinand Eyo, who lamented the suffering of his people, blamed the situation in his community on vandals that destroyed its overhead tank in a communal clash sometime ago.

“No effort has been made by government to resuscitate the facility to restore normal water supply since then. The few existing boreholes have gone moribund except one which is functional at the moment and cannot serve the entire community,” he said.

He, therefore, appealed to government and agencies responsible for maintenance and repairs of the boreholes to come to their aid to avert possible outbreak of water borne diseases in the area.

Also speaking with Niger Delta Voice, a resident of one of the affected communities, Mrs. Evelyn Sampson, said, “The situation has compelled both mothers and children to travel long distances in search of water daily.”

She told NDV that the brooks in the area, overstretched on many occasions, went dry and urged government to rise up to the challenge.
Concerned residents have appealed to the Cross River Water Board Limited and Yakuur local government council to intervene before it assumes crisis-proportions.

Okada riders make brisk business
The development it was gathered has opened a window of opportunity for commercial motorcyclists, otherwise known as Okada riders, many of whom have since become to water vendors because of the high demand for the commodity.

Currently, a 25- litre jerry can sells between N40 to N60 and eight jerry cans attract between N250 to N600 naira depending on the distance.

A commercial cyclist – turned water vendor, Raphael Out, said the cost per jerry can is determined by the distance covered.

“I cherish this business because it is a high revenue earner for me unlike when I was conveying passengers,” he stated.

A source at the Cross River Water Board Limited, who preferred anonymity, disclosed that the outfit would fix the boreholes in due course.

He, however, explained that the board would not take responsibility for those willfully damaged by vandals.