Clean water brings transformation to Umuabor community

GETF
Image: WaterAid/Solomon Fran

Umuabor is a community located along the 9th mile-ObolloAfor-Otukpo highway. It is in Eha Alumuna town, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. Umuabor is a relatively large community with over 30 villages. Residents of Umuabor community have experienced water scarcity for years.

The community have long relied on the Ibede stream, which comes from “Agu Umuabor” (Umuabor Forest), for their water needs. The stream, although perennial, is located at the base of a remote hill. To access clean water, residents of Umuabor community have to walk for an average of two hours to get water from the stream.

A motorised borehole fitted with a power generating set and two kiosks (about 450m apart) with water points was constructed under the RAIN/WaterAid project. Residents of Umuabor community could never have imagined the transformation clean water would
bring their way. Kevin Ezeugwu, a petty trader in Umuabor community and father of six children, expresses his gratitude at the intervention which has brought relief to everyone in the community, including those in neighbouring communities.

Before the intervention, my children had to trek to the Ibede stream every day to get water for the house. My children have been relieved of the stress of trekking to Ibede stream every day to fetch water.” 

Anastacia Ugwuoke, 39, is the Treasurer of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee in Umuabor community. The excited mother of four children shares her past ordeals as a result of water scarcity and her joy at the intervention.

GETF
Image: WaterAid/Solomon Fran

Before this project, our community struggled with intense water scarcity. We got our water from the Ibede stream which is about 10km from the village centre and located at the base of a hill, which is difficult to climb, especially with water on your head. To escape this difficulty, some rich people either bought water from water tankers or installed a system to harvest rainwater. However, the cost of installation is equivalent to the cost of building a 4-bedroom apartment. This project is a lifesaver. We no longer have to run after water tankers for water, which despite being expensive, also takes about 3-4 weeks to supply water booked with an advance payment.