The water crisis in Otukpo, Benue State, has reached an alarming level, forcing residents to drink from muddy pools and unsafe sources.

DAILY POST observed that as the dry season intensifies, wells and streams have dried up, leaving thousands without access to clean drinking water.

For decades, Otukpo, the heart of Idoma land in Benue State, has battled water crisis.

What was once a thriving town with access to clean water has slowly deteriorated into a place where survival depends on luck, improvisation and sheer resilience.

During the dry season, the situation worsens, turning an already dire problem into a full-blown humanitarian crisis.

At the centre of this crisis is the long-abandoned Otobi Water Works, a facility that was once the lifeline of Otukpo but has remained non-functional for ages.

As a result, residents, both in urban and rural areas, have been left with no choice but to drink from muddy ponds, shallow wells and contaminated streams.

The consequences have been devastating.

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Cases of cholera, typhoid and river blindness have been on the rise as people are forced to consume water from unhealthy sources.

Women and children, in particular, bear the brunt of this struggle.

Every morning, before the sun rises they embark on long treks from Otukpo town to neighbouring Ohimini LGA in search of water, often competing with animals for access to stagnant pools.

Several factors have contributed to the water crisis in Otukpo.

One of the biggest challenges unique to Otukpo is its soil texture, which makes it nearly impossible to drill boreholes.

Unlike other areas where underground water sources can be tapped, Otukpo’s terrain consists of hard, rocky soil that prevents water from accumulating beneath the surface.

However, the most glaring is the collapse of water infrastructure. The Otobi Water Works, which was designed to supply potable water to the town, has suffered years of neglect due to government inaction, lack of maintenance, and mismanagement of funds.

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Also, this has been attributed to climate change and deforestation, which has worsened the situation.

The reduction in rainfall and increased environmental degradation have led to the drying up of natural water sources.

Many rivers that once provided water to residents have shrunk to mere trickles during the dry season.

A resident of Obaganya, Agbo John, told our reporter that another major issue is population growth and urbanization.

Accordign to him, “As Otukpo expands, the demand for water has far outstripped supply. Yet, no significant investments have been made to upgrade or expand water infrastructure to meet the town’s growing needs.

“Worsening the problem is pollution. Many of the water sources available to us here are contaminated by human and animal waste, making them breeding grounds for deadly bacteria and parasites.

“In some communities, such as Edikwu, Entina, Igbanonmaje, EiUpi, people fetch water from streams used for laundry, bathing and even waste disposal.”

One of the worst-hit areas is Asa community, where people now rely on the muddy remains of the Ukplo River for survival.

Faced with these harsh realities, some residents have taken matters into their own hands. One such effort is the drilling of the Ukplo River, a desperate move by citizens seeking an alternative water source.

Honourable Angbo Kennedy, a lawmaker representing Otukpo Akpa at the Benue State House of Assembly, recently made a generous donation towards the project, a gesture that has been met with deep gratitude by the Asa Community.

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Amid the crisis, some individuals and organizations have stepped in to provide temporary relief.

Ace philanthropist, Mohammed Odeh Adah, Ochacho’, has been supplying water to residents through his private initiatives.

His intervention has helped many families access clean drinking water, but the demand far outweighs the supply.

“Every time Ochacho’s water trucks come, there’s a rush and sometimes, not everyone gets enough,” said Emmanuel Obotu, a resident from Otukpo Township.

“We appreciate his effort, but this is a town of thousands, and one person’s kindness cannot solve an age-long crisis,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Benue State government has acknowledged the crisis and recently announced plans to revamp the Otobi Water Works.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Hon Ugwu Ameh Odoh, promised to restore the facility and improve water supply in the area.

He said, “The council also directed the Ministry of Water Resources, Environment, and Climate Change to invite CGC to commence the rehabilitation of the facility and restore water supply in Otobi, Otukpo and their environs.”
(DAILY POST)