By Dada Ahmed.
The Confluence River Niger & Benue in Lokoja.
(C). Google.
At dawn in Lokoja’s Gadumo community,55-year-old Mrs. Hannah Otaru joins a growing queue of women, children, and the elderly at a local well. With two buckets in hand, she waits anxiously. “Sometimes, we wait here for hours. There are days when the water dries up before my turn comes,” she laments. This scene is common across Lokoja and other parts of Kogi State, where the struggle for potable water has become an exhausting daily ritual for thousands of residents.
The situation in Lokoja has worsened due to climate change, as this year’s intense heat has caused many wells to dry up, compounded by the growing number of boreholes that further deplete the underground water supply and limited number of water vendors.
However,kudo must go to some borehole owners, especially in Gadumo New layouts,who in their “milk of human kindness”, decide to share their water with others whose wells have dried up,free of charge to make life meaningful for living.
It is a bitter irony. Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, sits where the mighty Rivers Niger and Benue meet,one of Nigeria’s most iconic geographical features. With such abundant freshwater sources, it is almost unthinkable that residents would suffer water scarcity. Yet, due to aging infrastructure, environmental disasters, among other factors, this advantage has not translated into reliable water supply.
In 2022, a devastating flood swept through many local government areas Kogi State, including Lokoja, the state capital,submerging major infrastructure including the Greater Lokoja Waterworks. The facility, which served as the main water supply hub for the city, had its electromechanical components damaged beyond immediate repair. Since then, water production and distribution have been erratic.
In the aftermath of the flood, Lokoja’s dependence shifted to the Old Lokoja Waterworks, which was only recently rehabilitated. Although it now produces about two million liters of water per day,double its previous capacity, according to the Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr.M.D Yahaya Faruk, experience reveals that it falls short of the growing demand in a rapidly urbanizing capital city.
Outside Lokoja, the situation equally calls for serious concern . In places like Kabba, Dekina, and Okene, residents lament that they rely heavily on boreholes, streams, and rainwater harvesting all of which are seasonal or unreliable. In rural communities, parents regret that their children often miss school because they have to walk kilometers in search of water. Worse, the quality of water from many of these sources raises serious public health concerns.
To ease the pressure, the Kogi State Government launched free tanker water supply in some parts of Lokoja, particularly to health facilities and densely populated neighborhoods. While this intervention was a relief to many, many residents believe it is temporary and unsustainable for the long term.
According to government sources, efforts are ongoing to revamp and possibly relocate the Greater Lokoja Waterworks to a less flood-prone location. This ambitious project,they said is expected to cost between $120 million and $150 million and would include modern filtration systems, power backup, and expanded pipeline networks. But as of now, the project remains in its planning phase.
Governor Usman Ododo, like his predecessor, Yahaya Bello,has reiterated the administration’s commitment to improving water access across the state. In recent statements, he emphasized that potable water is not a luxury but a basic right and necessity. Still, public skepticism remains high as the scarcity of this precious commodity in human life remains unabated.
It must be stressed that this juncture that infrastructure alone, however, is not the silver bullet. In aligning with this fact,experts in water management argue that a reliable water supply system also requires consistent electricity to power pumps and treatment plants,something Kogi, like much of Nigeria, still grapples This is because power outages frequently stall water distribution, leaving even well-prepared facilities incapacitated.
Beyond technology, behavioral change is another crucial development demanding urgent attention of the government and the residents.There must be concerted efforts to finding meaningful solutions to cases abound of vandalized water pipelines and community apathy toward maintenance. In some areas, residents fail to report or repair broken taps and pipes, this attitude has worsened water wastage and loss. Public education, by the state government and relevant NGOs,on the value of water and infrastructure maintenance becomes a priority.
Water governance also needs restructuring. Inquisitive minds in the state are of the opinion that the Kogi State Water Board requires not just improved funding but autonomy and capacity building to operate more effectively. They also stress the need for transparent budgeting, timely project execution, and regular audits that could significantly boost public trust and enhance service delivery.
There’s also the opportunity to embrace public-private partnerships. The state government can explore collaboration with water engineering firms and development partners for financing, technical support, and long-term sustainability. With proper regulation, such partnerships can modernize infrastructure and expand reach without excluding low-income communities.
Moreover, climate adaptation must be central to the state’s water policy. With the increasing frequency of floods, any new infrastructure must be climate-resilient. Early warning systems, elevated pump stations, and water catchment preservation are strategies worth adopting.
At the community level, small-scale water schemes can provide quick wins. Solar-powered boreholes, rainwater harvesting tanks, and localized treatment units can supplement centralized supply and reduce dependence on a single source. These should be integrated into local development plans with community buy-in.
Ultimately, the solution to Kogi’s water crisis lies in visionary planning, improved political will, and serious community engagement. With its strategic location and abundant natural resources, Kogi State has no excuse to remain water-deprived. Turning the tide , therefore,requires urgent, coordinated, and sustained action,so that never again should its people be surrounded by rivers, yet thirsty.
Dada Ahmed, a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors,NGE,is the publisher of The Reporters.
ahmeddada008@gmail.com.
