Lokoja residents groan as water shortage hit hard

Residents of Lokoja, Kogi State capital have in the last one week experienced acute water shortages as the greater Lokoja water works stopped pumping water.

Though acute water scarcity has been a recurrent challenge faced by residents in the last four years, the experience of residents since last week had made them to patronize local water vendors as they daily wait for restoration of water to no avail.

A resident who is a top government official while speaking with our reporter under anonymity explained that: “The residents of Lokoja both in the GRA and other extension including the ancient settlers, now patronise water tankers or Local water vendors who are busy making brisk business from the scarcity.

“Some of the residents who cannot afford the commercial water vendors have resorted to using the River Niger for both domestic and consumption which I think constitutes health hazards to the people.

One week after, there was no official statement both from the management of the state water board, the Ministry and the state government towards addressing the perenial water shortages.

CAPITAL POST noted on good authority that the state government disengaged the engineers who normally carry out routine turn around maintainance, with no efforts to engage new hands.

Some workers in the parastatal confirm that the moribund greater Lokoja water works is due for overhaul with less efforts from the state government.