The Network of Yobe State Civil Society Organizations (NYCSOs) has said it is deeply concerned about the recent water scarcity crisis that has affected thousands of citizens across major cities and towns in the state.
In a statement signed and issued on Wednesday by the Executive Director/Chairman NYCSO, Alhaji Baba Shehu, indicated that the severe shortage of portable drinking water has subjected communities to various degrees of hardships, threatening public health and exacerbating existing socio-economic challenges in especially Damaturu the state capital for the past two months.
“While we understand that, the recent power outages in the state may be one of the responsible factors, it still did not exonerate the government from the responsibility of ensuring that citizens have uninterrupted access to basic and important necessities such as Water, especially in situations excruciating economic hardships,” Shehu.
The CSOs, through their executive director, also noted with dismay that, despite the proclamation of the government for increased supply of diesel to power public boreholes within the metropolis, the scarcity is still biting harder as most of the public boreholes are not supplying water to residents.
“As a society, we cannot ignore the fact that governments at all levels have a duty and responsibility to ensure citizens have regular access to basic social services and life-saving at all costs.
“Moreso, access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, and the current sorry situation requires immediate action from duty-bearers,” he said.
The CSOs, however, called on the Yobe State Government to among other things; implement short and long term measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens, including the provision of emergency water supply through tankers to severely affected areas.
“The CSOs in the state will support any government effort in advocating for the speedy completion of the lingering Damaturu Regional Water Supply Project embarked by the Federal Government of Nigeria,” they said.
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