The residents who described their water as muddy and hazardous, lamented that it causes illnesses including cholera, severe skin rashes, especially among children, stressing that they have recorded scores of death.
Residents of Bamgbade community in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have lamented how they battle with a series of waterborne diseases.
Pleading for urgent provision of safe and drinkable water, the residents said the severe impact of lack of safe and drinkable water in the community had left them with a dirty and contaminated source of water supply.
The residents who described their water as muddy and hazardous, lamented that it causes illnesses including cholera, severe skin rashes, especially among children, stressing that they have recorded scores of death.
Meanwhile, despite the health risks, they said they have no choice but to use the available contaminated and dirty water for cooking, bathing and drinking.
They stressed a desperate need for a clean and safe water supply in the community, calling on Governor Dapo Abiodun-led state government to quickly come to their aid.
Speaking with PUNCH, One of the residents, Esther Ibukun said, “We fall under the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Bamgbade Village. We struggle to get water during the dry season.
“We spot ticks in our children’s bodies and even adults have ticks in their bodies too. Many people have died because of this contaminated water.”
Another resident of the community, Muheebi Soronke said “The ruling party here is the All Progressives Congress. The government is making us suffer so much.
“We don't have water and other amenities. We are not enjoying the dividends of democracy.”
Ibukun further said, “We fetch the water for drinking, bathing and cooking. The water becomes inadequate during the hot season. It becomes a challenge for us.
“We could spend up to six hours to fetch water. Some would chase us away and won't allow us to fetch from their Rivers. Only a few of them allow us after warning us not to return for such a purpose anymore.
“We buy sachets of water to clean our children up after they dedicate. To make the water usable, we add alum into it and use it after the dirt inside it settles.”
Also, Sherifat Tejuosho said, “We lack quality water and cannot cook as we desire. Even though our land is fertile, we don't have quality water. We produced palm oil in the past but can't do that anymore due to lack of water.
“One of my children visited me at a time and he left and never returned because of the consequences of the contaminated water he used. He treated Cholera for a long time and we took him to the hospital.
“The doctor asked ab9ut his diet after discovering that his blood had impurities. He had to undergo a corrective process before he felt well.
“Many people have died because of this contaminated water. They suddenly fall sick and die before arriving at the hospital. We use alums to settle the dirt in the water and we can consume the water only after three days.”
The Baale of Bamgbade Community, Kehinde Bamgbade, said “The government has never intervened despite their presence. Whenever the government official comes, we used to serve them with refreshments but they won't do anything.
“We are tired of their vague promises, yet they would come to us during the election periods to entice us with a few cups of rice.”
Another resident vowed, “If any government office aspirant comes here to campaign, we shall chase him off. You will be irritated to wash your legs with the water we drink here.”
Further speaking, Tejuosho said, “We want quality water and stable electricity. We want the government to come to our aid. We are not enjoying any amenities. All we want from God and the government is to intervene in our village’s affairs so that we can stay healthy.
“What we consume determines our health status. Providing quality water is an essential project for the government in this community, including ensuring stable electricity.
“I have not eaten today as I speak because I can't cook anything with the water unless the dirt inside it settles.”