For Abubakar Garba in Rafinduma village, Sokoto State, the day begins as early as 4:30 am. At such wee hours, he feels the weight of the time, knowing that he is already behind schedule for his family’s daily routine. As devout Muslims, they must pray before setting out to fetch water from the Niger Republic, which is over six kilometres from Rafinduma, a routine dictated by the water scarcity plaguing the village.
Rafinduma is a village located in Kadadi, in the Gada Local Government Area of the state. A community of over 17,000 residents, it relies heavily on its neighbouring country, Niger Republic, for access to water. This dependence not only highlights the acute water shortage but also underscores the absence of other essential social amenities.
The villagers also lament the lack of electricity and other basic infrastructure, expressing their frustration at the dearth of development in their community. Despite their reputation in agriculture, the villagers’ farming activities have been severely hampered by the unrelenting water scarcity. Each year, they are forced to contend with this challenge, hindering their ability to fully engage in their livelihoods.
The plight of the Rafinduma community serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for sustainable solutions to address water scarcity and improve living conditions in the rural community. Sharing the profound challenges the community faces due to water scarcity and the absence of electricity with our correspo.
