By Folorunsho Medinat Olajumoke
The students at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) encounter a number of challenges, ranging from rising tuition fees to a lack of basic social amenities on campus. One of the most pressing challenges of students is lack of access to clean-running water.
In Kano hall of residence formerly known as Kwakwasiyyah hostel, running water is a scarce entity. One will think the gigantic two-story building is situated in arid desert due to water scarcity there. Water is essential to sustain lives, its absence in this edifice has been affecting the well-being of the residents.
Without access to clean-running water, students are at risk of health problems, maybe the authority did not know. Students are struggling to cope with the financial burdens posed by the economic hardship. So, how will it be comfortable to purchase bottled or sachet water?
Absolutely, it is high time the management addressed this alarming issue. While we have addressed the importance of water accessibility before, it would be ideal if this instance marks the inception of a sustainable resolution to this issue.
Anytime there is water, female students of the Kano hall would quickly rush to other hostels just to fetch water. Meanwhile, if they join the queue of the little water supply in their hostel, it will not reach many students’ turn before the water will bid them farewell. Their option is to search for water to IBLOCK, Jubril Aminu Masjid, DV hostel, among others. Imagine students heading water like market women from hostels that are long meters away from theirs.
Health problems that can emanate from lack of water include: Dehydration, gastrointestinal illness, skin infection, just to mention a few. Some of the hostel dwellers settle for less by fetching uncovered reservoirs situated outside the hostel. This unhygienic water can cause various diseases to the human system. Many students have been victims of typhoid and running stomachs due to the unclean water.
Students exhaust a significant portion of their budget on bottle and sachet water which is putting a strain on their account balance. They are facing financial hardship and difficulties to purchase other necessary items such as; book, pen, handouts.
The Way Forward
Had it been the reservoir is covered and filled with treated water, it would reduce the risk of contaminations. The expected improvement from the management is to cover the reservoir so as to make the water safer for cooking, bathing and washing. It will ease the students’ stress of going to another hostel to fetch water.
There are three useless water tanks in the hostel that are always crying for water. Having automatic pumps would ensure that the tanks will be filled with water frequently. Hiring someone to monitor and maintain the water system would also be a big help.