Power outage in Damaturu leaves residents without water

The recent vandalism of two Transmission Company of Nigeria’s (TCN) 330kva electricity towers has plunged Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, into darkness and a severe water shortage.

Residents struggled to obtain potable water as the outage rendered dozens of diesel-powered boreholes inoperable. The resulting lack of electricity also halted the business of water vendors who typically supplied affected residents and institutions.

Residents like Shettima Muktar of the Abba Ibrahim Housing Estate expressed their frustration, highlighting the impact the water scarcity has had on daily life, particularly for women and children who are forced to fetch water from unsafe wells and ponds.

Muktar called on authorities to take immediate action to repair the tower and restore the water supply, stressing that access to water is a fundamental human right.

Another resident, Hajiya Amina Audu, expressed scepticism about the government’s pledge to address the issue. She stressed the need for urgent action rather than promises and stated that residents have been disappointed.

The General Manager of the Yobe State Water Corporation, Mahdi Zarma, confirmed the scarcity and attributed it to the boreholes’ reliance on the national grid. He explained that any power outage results in the cessation of water supply to residences, markets, hospitals, and other institutions in Damaturu and its surroundings.

Zarma said the government is addressing the water shortage by increasing the diesel supply to the boreholes. Additionally, a contract to connect all boreholes to solar power has commenced, aiming to provide a long-term solution to water scarcity in the state capital and beyond.

The incident also raised concerns about sabotage and the need for increased security measures to protect critical infrastructure. Zarma urged residents to use the increased diesel supply judiciously as the government closely monitors the situation to improve the state’s water supply.