Minna residents suffer as water crisis deepens
Residents of Minna, the Niger State capital, are facing a worsening water crisis despite the allocation of billions of naira to improve water supply over the years. Many homes have little or no access to pipe-borne water and now depend on vendors, boreholes, and distant water sources for their daily needs. Women and children trek long distances and queue for hours at boreholes and public taps, often starting before dawn to secure enough water for the day. The scarcity has disrupted schooling, as some children, especially girls, miss classes or arrive late because they spend mornings fetching water or waiting for vendors. Health risks are rising as desperate residents sometimes resort to unsafe water from streams, ponds, or other untreated sources, raising fears of outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Households also struggle financially as the cost of water from vendors has […]