PEOPLE livingaround OsosamiCommunity in Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo State, have given reasons why they still fetch water from broken water pipes on the roads in the area, saying they have no choice than to do so.Many people, including some environmental health scientists, as well as medical practitioners have observed in recent times that residents of the area, especially young children, were in the habit of scooping water from broken water pipes, a habit described by Dr Femi Ajala as an invitation to water-borne diseases like typhoid, dysentery, cholera and other diseases.When Community News visited the area in the early hours of last week Friday and Saturday, to verify from the residents why they constantly engaged in this habit despite the health problem attached to the act, the people said since water scarcity has become a recurring phenomenon in the area, they have to look for an alternative.Some people in the area, seeing scooping water from broken pipes very close to Bosun Photo shop, which is also some meters away from both the Redeemed Christian Church of God and Star Gate Building, on Ososami road which also links Adeoyo/Ring Road road, told Community News that any noticeable or visible broken tap water pipe would always attract people who were in dire need of drinkable water.According to Sade Olowoyo, a stylist (hair dresser) in the area, 'we have no choice than to cluster around the broken pipes. We need water for domestic activities and since we cannot get it at home, we have to hunt for broken pipes oozing out water and that is why you saw people struggling to fetch the water, whether it is close to gutter or road does not bother us,' she stated.A young boy met at the spot where many people queued to fetch water, Ayobami Adeleye, explained that he, like other youths in the area, knew where some broken pipes were located and as such, whenever there was supply of tap water to the area from Water Corporation, youths, as well as some young adults would rush to the spots to scoop water.He said, 'tap water no longer flow to our house likewise many houses in Ososami and Oke-Ado area of Ibadan. Therefore, we resolved to the act because we are in need of water for domestic activities. We also need drinkable water and those who have boreholes in their compounds won't allow us to fetch water, so, we decided to be fetching water from broken water pipes,' he lamented.Some landlords and residents of the area, who spoke with Community News however, urged the authorities of the Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as Senator, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly members representing the area to come to their aids by sinking boreholes for them.
Click here to read full news..
