Nigeria - Acute water scarcity has hit the Bosso campus of the Federal University of Technology, Minna. The scarcity, which started a week ago has forced students to move from one hostel to another looking for water to drink, cook and bathe. It was hard time for students as they walked long distances looking for water from different bore-holes located around the campus. Sanitation has been on the lowest level as some toilets and bathrooms were littered with excreta. The girls were worst hit as some of them who were in their period had to contend with the water shortage. Many students have fallen on the extreme alternative of going to nearby wells to get water for domestic use.

Some other students who could not cope resorted to buying water for their comfort; some others leave their beds in the dead of night to queue for water in some of the halls of residence where water runs within the school.

James Audu, a 300 level student said the condition was appalling. "For the past few days now, we have been suffering seriously due to inadequate water supply", he said. He lamented that students were forced to spend their lean resources on hawked water at the rate of N80 a gallon which sold for N20 on a normal day and buying of sachets water to either cook or bathe.

In the female hostels, the shortage persists due to the population of students. "This means that we waste many hours just scouting for water, which prevents us from attending most of our first lectures, from cooking and washing our clothes," complained a 300 level Biochemistry student.

Igbor Kenneth of BioChemistry Department said the situation in Bosso Campus is harsh. "We are experiencing a transition from better to worse in welfare conditions. Though it wasn't 100 per cent okay last year, still it was better. There was never a week without water. To my surprise, this year water scarcity seems the order of the day. Management should understand that water is essential for human existence," said Ngozi John of Electrical Engineering 100 level.

Financial Secretary of the Students Union Government (SUG) Morgan Ocheku appealed for calm as the situation is being looked into by the school authority. Also, SUG Public Relations Officer Yakubu Yahaya said the pipe supplying the school from the state water board got damaged and would be replaced before students resume from the election break.

Faith Olaniran

Daily Trust/07/04/2011