KEFFI: There are reports of water scarcity in and around Keffi, a major town in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

By Wale Odunsi

The situation has persisted for several weeks it was reliably gathered.

Indigenes now trek long torturous distance to get water for use. Mostly affected are students of the state-owned institution, Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK).

A 200-level Theatre Arts student who spoke with this reporter revealed that the untold hardship started since resumption of second semester in July.

"It's a pathetic situation. We buy bags of pure water to do virtually everything. That one too is now costly, the manufacturer jerked up the price to make more profit. We resort to the stream which is mostly crowded. It is that bad."

Another student who was on her way to a remote stream said "We heard the rain damaged a major pipe. The borehole that used to serve the whole community around campus is damaged. To most of us it appears the government doesn't care. We don't blame them; their children are living in good condition while their relatives don't experience such. This is unfair, very unfair."

Already, there are fears of disease outbreak as most communities hardly maintain a clean environment and the scarcity has further worsened the problem of filth.

Efforts to reach the state government proved abortive as calls put through to the commissioner were not answered.

'Wale Odunsi
Freelance writer/publicist