To enhance good health, sanitation: Organisation builds, donates water reservoir to Mbororo community.

The water facility was recently handed over to the community by the project lead, who doubles as Coordinator of SUHUCAM, Sunday Geofrey. 

According to Sunday Geofrey, the lack of safe water sources in the community, pushed SUHUCAM to embark on the project. The project, he said, was therefore put in place to ease the plight of the people. 

"Due to climate change and anthropogenic pressures like uncontrolled cutting of trees, most water sources had either degraded or, in severe cases, completely dried off. The People were forced to drink water from doubtful sources," he explained. 

Sunday added that "water-related illnesses became rampant, while women and young girls sometimes trek over 3km to fetch water for their families". 

Some personalities present at the handing over ceremony were Ardo Aliyou, the leader of the Mbororo community in Bamukumbit and Akisah Peter, General President of Mankong Cultural and Development Association, MACUDA.

Speaking on behalf of the Mbororo community, Ardo Aliyou, expressed gratitude to SUHUCAM and partners for what he called "a generous gesture." 

"Over the years, we have been drinking water from natural sources. Most of them are now contaminated and people are always sick, especially in the dry season," Ardo Aliyou said, adding that: "we are happy to have the first tap water in this community. I pray that many more should be constructed so that all of us can access clean water". 

On his part, MACUDA General President, Akisah Peter, saluted the initiative that prioritises the minority group in the community. 

"Everyone deserves access to clean and safe drinking water. This should not be determined by the geographical location,” he said. 

He equally pledged that MACUDA, through the Bamukumbit village water management committee, will collaborate with the Mbororo community to ensure the effective post project management of the facility.

Some members of the beneficiary community could not hide their joy at the gesture and thanked the nonprofit for the stitch in time.

According to Ibrahim Khela, the water facility has come to ease their sufferings.

"We were suffering a lot due to lack of potable water, but now the story has changed. I just want to thank all those who made this possible," he said.

Another resident, Haweh Muhamadou, said she is happy they no longer have to trek for long distances to fetch water from the streams. 

"We now have clean water near the compounds. I am very happy because I know our suffering because of water has reduced," she explained.

The water project, funded by the Japan Water Forum, is one of the two projects implemented by SUHUCAM in communities adjacent the Bamukumbit Integrated Community Forest. 

This story first published in The Guardian Post issue No3056 of Thursday March 14, 2024