The Impossiblity Of Life in Edda, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
By Petronilla Onukwufor-Okoro
They say that water is life, and one of humanity’s fundamental rights is unrestricted access to safe and clean water. This is calculated as a percentage of the total population based on the number of individuals who have continuous access to safe drinking, washing, and life-sustaining water.
Safe and accessible water reflects people’s health and ability to get and distribute clean water for consumption. The term ‘safe water’ refers to both surface and uncontaminated water from natural sources (springs, sanitary wells nd protected boreholes).
Limited or no access to safe and clean water exposes people and their lives to health risks while alsoimpeding human progress. Hence, there is a need for adequate and long-term intervention in communities that don’t have access to safe drinking water.
One of the most fundamental necessities lacking among the people of Edda LGA in Ebonyi state is safe, clean, and accessible water. They rely primarily on self-supply (free sources) such as perennial streams, water ponds, and unprotected wells, which are prone to waterborne illnesses (typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery) and fatalities, particularly among youngsters, nursing mothers, and the elderly.
Edda terrain is hard and covered with stones and boulders, making farming difficult and nearly impossible during the dry season due to restricted access to water. There is hardly any government presence or intervention in the water supply in Edda. Not even the installation of public hand-operated boreholes or wells. However, there is a current government in power that claims to be humanity-driven.
The rainy season is typically the only time when people do not have to travel long distances to get water since they are able to harvest water from the rain. This is not sustainable, except for the wealthy who can purchase rain-harvesting tank(s). It is critical to address the issue of domestic water supply in Edda LGA.
Pregnant women, the elderly, and youngsters going long distances downhill to get to water raises concerns. This already puts them at risk since they may receive injuries or perhaps die as a result of falling down the slope.
Another problem is the rate of life productivity in the EDDA community, as they spend the majority of their time getting water. Access to safe water also implies that the significant amount of time women and children spend fetching water could be better spent on other duties, which is an important component of poverty alleviation actions.
Water-related diseases are the primary cause of human illness and death around the world, disproportionately impacting the poor. Improvements in clean water supply and sanitation services promote people’s health and well-being.
I’m urging the Governor of Ebonyi State, honourable members representing Edda at the state and federal levels, and the local government chairman to take action on this issue, as investing in water storage infrastructure, treatment facilities, and distribution networks is critical for improving water quality, accessibility, and overall quality of life.
The image below evidently depicts how the people of Edda collect water daily to survive their life.