Okene: When the water runs dry

Ismail M. Kabir

In 2007, I told a story of my experience when I trekked uphill the Okunchi mountain top (click here for story). The strenuous hike not withstanding, I was deeply touched by the sight of feeble women and mal-nourished children laden with heavy duty gallons and water kegs descending the mountain at early hour of the morning. Upon reaching the water source, I nearly broke down in tears at the sight of long queue of weary-looking women, girls and boys waiting for their 'turn' to fetch a brownish looking water from a small dug-out pond.

Today, water scarcity remains a major challenge faced by Ebira communities despite availability of about 3 major water stations; Osara Dam (Adavi LGA), Ekuku Dam and Okene Water works, the people can hardly enjoy this basic necessity of life as the water sources remain under-utilized by successive local and state governments.

Women and children now trek long distances in search of water except during Rainy season in a community that was the second to own tap water after Lagos, in the early 90s.

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