Water Scarcity: We Can’t Wash Our Wrappers – Protesting Plateau Women Weep

Since the violent attack that disrupted the peace of Gassa, a community with approximately 10,000 residents in the Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State, in October 2002, the inhabitants of this agrarian community have not fully recovered from the incident.

The trauma of the incident, lack of basic infrastructure, and absence of potable water for household use have scarred the residents for too long hence, the recent intervention by the Victims Support Fund, VSF in the area of water, sanitation, and hygiene has sent the people into wild jubilation.

The VSF on Tuesday, donated a 4,000-litre solar-powered borehole to the community and the people rolled out drums to celebrate.

Women and girls who bear the brunt of going in search of water for household use led in singing the praises of the organization, the youths and community leaders say the singular gesture means so much to them because one of the major problems has been solved.

A woman leader, Martha Boyi said, “… Before now, we didn’t wash our wrappers regularly because of lack of water but with the provision of the facility, we will keep neat and smell nice.”

Iliya Luka, a former community Youth Leader added, “Typhoid and malaria top the chart at the Primary Healthcare Centre because of lack of access to clean water but with this provision, we are sure that the trend will be reversed.”

The Acting Gwom Gassa (the local chief), Dara James Toma noted, “Water is life and we are delighted because this project has a direct positive impact on the grassroots people. The stress of finding water on our women and young people has reduced greatly.”

Iliya Nash, a former Councillor from the community maintained, “This is the first time we are remembered with this kind of gesture and the entire community is happy. We have suffered many things, we didn’t have access to clean water, and we can’t go to our farms, since 2002 to date, this community has been plagued by insecurity, this is bringing succour but we need more to make life easier for us.”

Boyi also appealed for other interventions in the areas of the provision of fertilizer and educational materials for school children, and another community member, Rwang Pam called for improved efforts to ensure security as all who spoke gave the assurance of protecting and maintaining the facility.

However, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, the Special Adviser, Operations and Programmes to General Theophilus Danjuma, the Chairman of the Victims Support Fund, VSF who handed over the facility to the community commended them for the support the organization received when the facility was being constructed.

She said, “I must commend you for the support you gave us when we started work here, you made sure that the things we brought here, the solar panel, and others were protected and today the facility is a reality. It shows that you appreciate the effort and more interventions are on the way.

“There will be empowerment to improve the economy of the community and the State, there will be the provision of educational materials so that the young people can be in schools, there is the humanitarian aspect where food items will be provided and these will be replicated in other communities in other local government areas of the State…”

The Executive Director of VSF, Professor Nana Tanko urged the people to jealously guard the facility, ensure it is not vandalized, and maintain it so that it will continue to serve the people.