Water is an essential resource for daily life, and its availability, accessibility, and quality significantly impact public health and economic activities.
However, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, residents continue to face challenges related to water supply, prompting concerns over reliability, affordability, and quality.
An Online Survey conducted by Sobi FM among residents across various residential areas, as part of activities to mark the World Water Day 2025, revealed prevailing poor water conditions, exposing both infrastructural deficiencies and the struggle for clean, affordable water.
‘We Rely on Water from Vendors’ – Resident
A resident of Zango-Kulende quarters in Ilorin, AbdulRasaq Adebayo, described the community as a ‘forgotten area in terms of water supply’, saying residents rely heavily on water from vendors which comes at a ‘higher cost and from questionable sources’.
Despite attempts by past governments to link the community with water, there is no single drop till date. “You either dig natural domestic well, drill bore-hole or get water supply from water vendors, of course at a higher cost and from questionable sources at times during dry season,” he said.
The challenges facing the above community underscore the daily struggle faced by residents in other communities in their quest to access potable water.
Many households relying on private boreholes or water vendors are burdened with high costs, as purchasing water in jerrycans or tanker deliveries significantly increases household expenses.
More Residents Speak, Link Water Scarcity to Poor Power Supply
Further findings from the survey indicate that a significant portion of the population depends on water from wells for their daily water needs, while others rely on water from vendors.
However, the reliability of these sources varies greatly, with many respondents lamenting the erratic nature of power supply in their communities. Some areas go days or even weeks without access to piped water, forcing residents to seek alternative means, often at a higher financial cost.
A resident of Baba Soja area in Ilorin, Rukayat Opeyemi, lamented the appalling condition of water scarcity in the area, especially when there is no power supply.
“To get water in our area is too bad. When there is no light, we won’t get water,” she told Sobi FM.
Another resident from Guniyan Community in Abayawo Area of Ilorin, Numan Asiat, shared the same concern as Opeyemi, as she attributed the cause of water nightmare in the community to shortage in electricity supply.
She said, “Honestly, it’s bad due to poor power supply. In it’s little way, our community is blessed with motorized boreholes, but to power it is the problem”.
The situation is no different across other Areas in the metropolis, including Sawmill and Adangba communities. “We are pushing, that’s just the perfect word for it”, says Yahaya Kaothar, a resident of Sawmill area.
While majority of the communities in Ilorin metropolis grapple with water crisis, some areas, including Ogidi and Agaka communities experience the opposite, as they said that access to water in the communities is very easy and supply is clean.
The challenges associated with water supply in the Ilorin metropolis highlight the urgent need for intervention. Many residents have called for improvements to public water supply infrastructure to ensure a more consistent and reliable distribution network.
‘Efforts Ongoing to Expand Water Infrastructure’ – Kwara Govt
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, said that there are ongoing efforts by the current administration to expand water infrastructure and rehabilitate existing facilities across the state.
“Testaments to this are the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of waterworks across the State, including the Oyun Waterworks which will service Ijagbo, Offa, and Ajase-Ipo; Omu-Aran Waterworks which serve Omu-Aran town and its environs; Otte/Budo-Egba Waterworks which serve Otte and its environs; and Sobi Waterworks which serve Akerebiata, Shao, Sobi Barracks and its environs”, he said.
He also added that through strategic investments in water supply projects, the State Government has improved access to potable water in urban and rural communities across the State, saying that the Western reservoir is operational, supplying water to areas like Adewole, Pakata, Sakele, Anifowoshe, Abe emi, Okekere, Alore, Okelele, Ondoko and their environs, while the FGC tank is serving Ogidi, Oloje, Ode-Alausa, Idi-Ape, Oja-Oba and their environs.
In addition, the Commissioner stated that the Eastern reservoir is actively supplying water to GRA, UITH, and Oke-ose axis, noting that ongoing repairs and maintenance of Waterways will be completed soon, which will ensure availability of water in affected areas such as Flower Garden, Sabo Oke, Maraba, Mubo, Amilengbe, Omoda, Agbaji, Ita Ogunbo and their environs.
He concluded that the aim is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, of the United Nations, which focuses on ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030.
By Toyeeb Omotayo
