Residents of Jebba in the Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State are expressing excitement over the newly secured availability of potable water in their community. For over three decades, the riverine community, ironically surrounded by the River Niger, has suffered from severe water scarcity.

With the launch of the Jebba Water Works in May last year, water now consistently flows through residents' taps. The facility currently produces about 200,000 litres of water daily, supplying 150,000 litres to the overhead tank for distribution across the community.

Sulaiman Abdulwaheed, an indigene of the community, told reporters during a media tour that residents now have access to clean, drinking water for at least four hours on a daily basis.

Abdulwaheed, a causal operator of the water facility, said the plant sourced its water from River Niger, which passed through purification stages before reaching consumers.

"We get the water from River Niger to the pressure house where sediments are removed, then to the filter where the water becomes about 70 per cent clean," he said.

He says the water is later transferred to another tank where chlorine and alum are added and left for between 15 and 30 hours before being released to the overhead tank for public use.

Abdulwaheed said the community could enjoy up to 12 hours of daily water supply if the mainline pipe, overhead tank and power support systems were upgraded.

"We currently pump water for about two to three hours daily because the mainline pipe cannot withstand higher pressure.

"With a larger pipeline, an increased overhead tank capacity, and a standby generator to tackle power challenges, the community can have up to 12 hours of steady water supply."

Abdulwaheed hailed the state government for easing the community's long struggle with water scarcity. He, however, appealed for further intervention to ensure sustainability.

"The governor has truly relieved us of many years of hardship without water," he said.

He added: "We only ask that the government help increase the tank capacity from 200,000 litres to 300,000 litres and provide a standby generator, so our people can have regular access to clean water."