Community News
Water crisis grips Onyikwa Community in Ebonyi as residents rely on contaminated ponds
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
15 Jan 2026 09:26 AM
Abakaliki, Ebonyi – In a stark revelation highlighting ongoing neglect in rural Nigeria, residents of Onyikwa community in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi are forced to depend on muddy, polluted water sources shared with livestock for their daily needs, according to a recent report by civic platform MonITNG.
The community, comprising sub-areas like Azuegu Mkpabeke, Ndiegbu, Amarufu, and Azuegu Akparata, has endured this water scarcity for years despite multiple appeals to local authorities, elected representatives, and relevant ministries.
A visit by the Tracka team, associated with MonITNG, uncovered the dire conditions as families fetch water from stagnant, mud-surrounded ponds that pose significant health risks.
"This unsafe water source is also shared with animals, leaving residents with no alternative but to consume water that is visibly polluted and unfit for human use," the organization stated on in a post on X Thursday.
The absence of clean water has led to prolonged hardships, with families spending hours sourcing it, children exposed to unsafe environments, and basic hygiene becoming nearly impossible.
MonITNG emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and called on Governor Francis Nwifuru, the Ebonyi State Government, and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to provide immediate sustainable solutions, such as boreholes.
This issue is not isolated to Onyikwa. Water scarcity has plagued Ebonyi State for decades, exacerbating health crises like cholera outbreaks and impacting vulnerable groups, including children and pregnant women.
A 2023 report highlighted residents' reliance on sachet water due to defunct public schemes, with costs straining household budgets.
More recently, a 2025 study in nearby Ikwo LGA linked water shortages to food security challenges, particularly during dry seasons, affecting staple crop production like rice and cassava.
Government efforts have been mixed. Governor Nwifuru's administration has initiated projects, including visits to the Ezillo Water Scheme to address decade-long piped water shortages caused by vandalism and prior setbacks.
However, communities like Onyikwa report that appeals have gone unanswered, leading to persistent suffering.
As calls for action intensify, MonITNG urges immediate intervention to restore dignity and health to Onyikwa's residents.
With waterborne diseases a constant threat, the community's plea echoes a statewide crisis demanding urgent federal and state response.
The community, comprising sub-areas like Azuegu Mkpabeke, Ndiegbu, Amarufu, and Azuegu Akparata, has endured this water scarcity for years despite multiple appeals to local authorities, elected representatives, and relevant ministries.
A visit by the Tracka team, associated with MonITNG, uncovered the dire conditions as families fetch water from stagnant, mud-surrounded ponds that pose significant health risks.
"This unsafe water source is also shared with animals, leaving residents with no alternative but to consume water that is visibly polluted and unfit for human use," the organization stated on in a post on X Thursday.
The absence of clean water has led to prolonged hardships, with families spending hours sourcing it, children exposed to unsafe environments, and basic hygiene becoming nearly impossible.
MonITNG emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and called on Governor Francis Nwifuru, the Ebonyi State Government, and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to provide immediate sustainable solutions, such as boreholes.
This issue is not isolated to Onyikwa. Water scarcity has plagued Ebonyi State for decades, exacerbating health crises like cholera outbreaks and impacting vulnerable groups, including children and pregnant women.
A 2023 report highlighted residents' reliance on sachet water due to defunct public schemes, with costs straining household budgets.
More recently, a 2025 study in nearby Ikwo LGA linked water shortages to food security challenges, particularly during dry seasons, affecting staple crop production like rice and cassava.
Government efforts have been mixed. Governor Nwifuru's administration has initiated projects, including visits to the Ezillo Water Scheme to address decade-long piped water shortages caused by vandalism and prior setbacks.
However, communities like Onyikwa report that appeals have gone unanswered, leading to persistent suffering.
As calls for action intensify, MonITNG urges immediate intervention to restore dignity and health to Onyikwa's residents.
With waterborne diseases a constant threat, the community's plea echoes a statewide crisis demanding urgent federal and state response.
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