Research reveals water sources in Nwa of high health, economic value.

The research conducted by venerated hydrogeologist, Prof Fantong Wilson, was presented in Yaounde March 16. 

The event was organised by the Matung Cultural and Development Association, MACDA, with the support of Nwa elite. 

The findings of the study were presented in the presence of the Member of Parliament for Nwa constituency, representatives of traditional and municipal authorities of the land as well as some respectable elite of the Subdivision.

Speaking during the presentation, the researcher explained that the study was conducted during the period of 2022 to 2023 as samples when collected from the field and analysed in laboratories Japan 

According to the researcher who hails from the Subdivision, the study sought to know the exact chemistry of the water being consumed in the 42 villages of the subdivision. 

He indicated that the findings show that water sources in most of the area have positive health and economic implications to the population. 

“The desirable pH value for drinking water should not be too acidic and it should not be basic, so the value of between 6 and 7 are the most favourable pH value for drinking water. We know where some of the waters are polluted and where we can advise people where to consume the water or not,” Prof Fantong said. 

Highlighting the fact that Nwa Subdivision finds itself in a highland area where the rains are so cold, the researcher noted that indicators from the isotopes show that there is a climate change factor in the study which will require further investigations, probably with the help of friends from Japan and the US, to ascertain the exact reason behind water in Nwa being relatively colder than in other parts of the country. 

“Another outcome is that, the chemistry of the water proves that it has very favourable characteristics for commercial bottling and I think that business people can get into this especially as we have a big market in Nigeria and which can improve on the socio-economic activities in the subdivision,” the hydrogeologist added. 

In spite of the high potentials of water in the area, the researcher mentioned that there are some water sources in some parts of the subdivision, like Ker Ntong and the Mbaw plain, which have shown undesirable indicators with health implications.

“In a village called Ntong has a drinking water source that has an undesirable concentration of fluoride which causes dental fluorisis or bone deformation etc,” he stated, adding that: “We have gotten this result but we need to go back in the field to do some epidemiological investigations to see the impact of the undesirable concentration of fluoride on the population that is consuming the water and then we develop it further to look for solutions”. 

“As for nitrate which in the Mbaw plain, it is already causing pollution problem. There are health issues that go on with nitrate which we call the ‘blue baby’ syndrome but because of our pigment, we don’t see it easily. With aid of medical practitioners, we are going to equally do this kind of investigation there on the health impact of this particular parameter,” Prof Fantong added. 

Motivation for study

According to Prof Fantong, his motivation for carrying out such study was his desire to give back to high community what he has benefited. 

“The motivation behind this research is that when I got to the level of having a PhD, I asked myself the question what I could do to bring home to my people and I realised that it could only be related to what I studied which is water,” he explained. 

Going by the researcher, he had realised that water remains a major concern in Nwa Subdivision as the population drank water from sources without knowing how potable they are. 

“The remote motivation for all of these came from the fact that when I was in secondary school, my father told me that if I work hard, I was going to have support from the Nwa Council. I did put in all my efforts and got the support from the council for the five years I was in the secondary school,” he reiterated. 

The support from the council, he said, was a major boost to his education and decided to do something to benefit the entire subdivision. He equally expressed gratitude to Nwa elite who have supported him throughout the study.