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Joseph Warri, a fisherman in the Ushafa community of Abuja, has lived in the village for over three decades. He has witnessed the water crisis that has plagued the community for years. In 1985, a dam was constructed in Ushafa to provide water for the entire city of Abuja. However, the villagers themselves have little to no access to this water. The Water Board may only give water for a few days at a time, then for months on end, there is no water at all. The villagers must rely on spring water and well digging to meet their water needs. However, these sources of water are often contaminated and unsafe to drink. people who have the financial means opt for boreholes, but this choice isn’t viable for the majority of the community. The local government chairman has written letters to the FCT minister and other authorities, but nothing has been done to address the water crisis.
Joseph’s story is relatable to many people around the world who are facing water insecurity.
Climate change is making the problem worse, as it is leading to more extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods. Joseph dreams of a future where the people of Ushafa have access to a clean and reliable water supply. He envisions a future where villagers won’t need to scale rocks for water, and where concerns about their children falling ill from consuming contaminated water will be a thing of the past. His story is one of hope and resilience. It is a story about a community that is fighting for its water rights, even in the face of adversity.
He urges the government to commit to and take urgent action to address the water crisis in Ushafa and other communities around the world, To build a future where everyone has access to basic rights to clean water irrespective of their environment and financial status.
Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resources Centre) is a non-governmental organisation and non-partisan human rights and development league.