FCT Residents Cries Out For Help Over Water
ABUJA- Residents of Tugan Bijimi in Kawu Ward, Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have endured over 30 years without access to clean water, relying on a heavily polluted stream as their sole water source.
According to civic watchdog, MonITNG, the stream, shared with grazing cattle from herders, is contaminated with animal waste before it reaches the community.
The report noted that this lack of clean water has had dire consequences for the health of residents. Waterborne diseases, such as diarrhoea and skin rashes, are common, and women face significant challenges during their menstrual cycles.
It added that children are especially vulnerable to illness. The residents wake as early as 4 a.m. daily to fetch water, often risking snake bites and other dangers.
In one instance, a woman narrowly survived being bitten by a snake while fetching water at the stream. Despite several promises from past governments to provide a borehole, nothing has been done to resolve the issue.
“Several promises were made by past governments to provide a borehole, but nothing was done. A single borehole could change everything, it’s not a big ask. The people of Tugan Bijimi are not asking for too much, just the dignity of clean water and the chance to live healthy lives,” the civic watchdog said.
The community is now calling on FCT Minister Wike and Senator Ireti Kingibe to ensure Tugan Bijimi is not left behind in the ongoing efforts to improve water infrastructure in the FCT.
“We’ve seen the news of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, travelling to China to strengthen partnerships on water provision for satellite towns. This is commendable.”
The group is asking for the community to be included in the ₦50 billion commitment for water infrastructure, stressing that they have waited long enough for clean water.
“Let this long-suffering community be among the first to benefit from the commitment for water infrastructure in the FCT,” the group added.
ATTENTION!!!
Dear @GovWike & Sen @IretiKingibe
For over three decades, the people of Tugan Bijimi in Kawu Ward, Bwari Area Council, Abuja FCT, have lived without access to clean water. The only source available to them is a heavily contaminated stream, the same place they
