By Rakiya A.Muhammad
A quiet crisis is engulfing rural communities in the sun-drenched, arid landscapes of Sokoto, where the ground speaks of suffering and resiliency. With increasing temperatures and decreasing rainfall, the once-dependable wells are now dry, and communities face a significant threat of climate-induced water scarcity.
Dried wells, Widespread Distress
Once a hive of activity, the communal wells in Sokoto communities now sit hauntingly silent. As melancholy reminders of a time when plenty flourished, the drained wells reflect the communities’ desperation in the face of the harsh weather.
The absence of reliable water sources exacerbates the struggle for daily survival, leaving communities parched and yearning for a lifeline.
Mother of five, Umm Zainab, decries a lack of access to safe water in many rural areas of the state.
She relates that the arduous trek for water has become a daily toil as they navigate vast distances to access water sources.
“Our children transverse miles along dusty paths and sun-scorched trails in search of water”, she moans.
“Day in, day out, we spend time, effort and resources looking for this essential commodity.”
Before the first light of day graces the horizon, twelve-year-old Amina Ali embarks on an arduous task carrying an empty container that will soon bear the weight of her family’s lifeblood – water. The pre-dawn hours become a time of sacrifice, where the pursuit of water precedes the pursuit of education.
For many children in rural areas, the daily trek for water is not just a chore; it becomes a sacrifice, a hurdle that distances them from the doors of education.
Absenteeism becomes an entrenched norm as children, tired from their water-seeking journeys, find it challenging to attend school regularly. The classroom, a beacon of opportunity, often takes a backseat to the immediate demands of survival in a water-scarce environment.
“Since the last rainy season, all our dug wells don’t have water; they’ve dried up,” laments Mallam Maiwake Tundun Bizo of Chato ward in Wurno local government area of Sokoto.
“Our children fetch water for us always because of the precarious water situation.”
When water is secured, quality is still a significant issue. Waterborne disease prevalence is exacerbated by contaminated water sources, posing a twofold issue because access alone does not assure health.
The lack of water and proper washing facilities hinders communities from following basic hygiene rules, leading to the development of avoidable diseases.
In the nearby health facilities, staff see waterborne infections spread rapidly. The individuals suffering from poor health due to the lack of clean water are a powerful example of how water and health are closely linked.
A common disease is cholera, which the World Health Organization, WHO, describes as a disease of poverty affecting people with inadequate access to safe water and basic sanitation.
Sokoto was one of 24 states that reported suspected cases in a mid-year report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
The report shows 55 deaths from cholera, with 2052 people suspected of having the disease from January to July 2, 2023.
UN-Water describes climate change as “precisely a water crisis”, noting drought, worsening floods, rising, shrinking ice fields, and wildfires.
It notes extreme weather events make water “more scarce, more unpredictable, and more polluted.”
A Baseline Survey Report for Sokoto 2022, which provided detailed information about the status of water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services in communities, schools, health centres, and public spaces, notes the deprivation of access to these basic needs.
The survey by Green Habitat Initiative (GHI) notes access to basic water supply as 32.5%, access to basic sanitation facility 9.6% and access to basic hygiene facility 7.5%
Thirsty Crops, Wilting Dreams
The once vibrant fields of the Sokoto rural farmers, who have sown seeds for generations, now bear witness to the whims of an unpredictable climate. As crops wither, so do the dreams of prosperity for their families and the community.
The farmers recount their losses in the last rainy season, which they lament has hurt their income tremendously.
Middle-aged Fatima Yusuf, who sows groundnut and corn during the rainy season, lost most of her produce this year.
Malama Fatima’s once-vibrant fields, now adorned with wilted crops, bear witness to the cruel dance of climate change. As the soil craves the touch of life-giving water, her dreams of a bountiful harvest wither away, leaving behind a poignant tableau of agricultural despair.
The farmer with almost two decades in the field explains her predicament in a state that faces challenges related to water scarcity, exacerbated by low rainfall,
“This year, we had a shortage of rain, so our farms did not do well. Last year(2022), we got rain earlier, and it fell very well, so I had almost six bags of groundnut that time, but this year, we had a problem because the rain didn’t come as early as expected, and the rain was not much, so we had problems,” Fatima recalls.
“Instead of getting six bags or more, I only got one and a half bags of groundnut. The corn didn’t do well, either. I used to get about five bags but got only half a bag.”
Adaptive Innovations, Oasis in the Desert
Amid the desolation, local communities pioneer adaptive innovations. Innovative household water management, Donkey-drawn water carriages and reduction in water use become oases in the desert of despair, offering a vision of resilience against climate-driven water conflicts.
Donkeys, revered for their resilience in arduous conditions, have emerged as invaluable partners in water-fetching endeavours.
From reducing water use through advanced agricultural practices to implementing community-led conservation initiatives and integrating donkeys into water-fetching processes, these adaptation strategies showcase the resilience and resourcefulness of Sokoto’s communities. As these strategies take root, they offer practical solutions and stand as testaments to the unwavering spirit of adaptation that defines Sokoto in the era of changing climates.
” As a coping mechanism, we use a donkey, a pack animal capable of carrying approximately 120 litres of water at once,” Maiwake reveals.
“Using donkeys to collect water minimises the frequency of journeys to water sources and is more convenient than manually carrying water on one’s head.”
He adds they use donkeys to alleviate the physical strain on individuals tasked with water collection, transporting water from distant sources to the heart of the community.”
Zainab and many other rural Sekoto dwellers store water in reasonably large containers to adapt to climate change. The amount of water collected varies based on the capacity of the storage facilities.
Sokoto’s farmers, facing the brunt of water scarcity, have shifted towards localised and water-efficient agricultural practices.
Harnessing the wisdom of tradition, communities are reviving traditional rainwater harvesting methods.
“We design catchment systems and storage facilities to collect and utilise every drop of the rainwater,” Fatima explains.
“It helps reduce the water shortage problem we face in the dry season.”
Recognising water as the lifeblood of communities, an NGO, the International Alert, launched a water access initiative in the Gwadabawa local government area of Sokoto.
Country Director Paul Bemshima Nyulaku reveals they targeted Sokoto State because of its vulnerability to climate shocks, noting localities’ need for knowledge and capacity to address these issues conflict-sensitively.
The NGO acknowledges the persistent nature of climate challenges as climate change adaptation remains an ongoing focus, necessitating flexibility in strategies to address emerging issues affecting marginalised communities.
International Alert stresses capacity-building programs tailored to the unique needs of marginalised communities, including training in water conservation, sustainable agriculture, and conflict resolution, empowering individuals to participate actively in shaping their destinies.
In a profound acknowledgement of the pervasive water shortage communities face, the traditional leader of the area, District Head of Gwadabawa, Rt. Hon. Lawal Zayyanu has thrown his weight behind the water access initiative, recognising it as a beacon of hope.
He notes most communities within his domain face the great danger of drought and sandstorms because of desertification.
The traditional leader, deeply rooted in the community, observes the people’s struggles, the arduous journeys to distant water sources, the emptiness of dried wells, and the toll of water scarcity on daily life.
Illuminating Hope, Eager Anticipation
Even as the need for water echoes louder across Sokoto’s rural areas, a beacon of hope emerges for a solution with impacts across all nooks and crannies of the state.
The state government has unfolded plans for a transformative initiative — a solar-powered water scheme. This visionary project aims to quench the parched lands and illuminate the path towards sustainable solutions in the face of water scarcity.
Engineer Muhammad AB Yusuf, Director of Water, Sokoto Rural Water Supply Department, acknowledges the plight of the people, assuring the commitment of the new administration in the state led by Governor Ahmed Aliyu to tackle the perennial problem.
“We just emerged from transition; this government is a new baby. All the plans are in the pipeline,” he stresses.
“We designed multimillion naira solar-powered water schemes and will provide thirty for each zone.”
Beyond addressing water scarcity, the solar-powered water scheme aligns with broader environmental goals. Utilising solar energy as a power source underscores the commitment to green and sustainable solutions, minimising the ecological footprint.
The government acknowledges the need for meticulous planning, addressing potential technical, logistical, and community-specific challenges to ensure the successful implementation of the scheme.
A local worker, Aminu Ibrahim, noted that the solar-powered water scheme promises a reliable and consistent water supply.
“By tapping into renewable energy, the communities can overcome the challenges posed by erratic rainfall and dried wells, ensuring a year-round water source,” he notes.
“The access to clean water facilitated by the scheme will reduce waterborne diseases significantly. Improved sanitation and hygiene practices, coupled with the availability of clean water, will contribute to a healthier populace.”
Also, a woman leader, Hajiya Amina Isa, notes women and children, often the primary bearers of the burden of water retrieval, stand to gain the most.
“The scheme’s design aims to alleviate their physical and time-related constraints, empowering them to redirect efforts towards education and other pursuits.”
Among Sokoto’s rural communities, there is a palpable sense of anticipation. The prospect of a consistent and accessible water supply has kindled hope, with residents eagerly awaiting the implementation of the solar-powered water scheme.
The promise of a future where clean water flows steadily through solar-powered veins brings newfound hope to the resilient communities of rural Sokoto.