Niger: Agricultural value chain beneficiaries cautioned against unauthorized borehole repairs

Beneficiaries of the Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development (FG/IFAD) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Niger State have been warned not to perform unauthorized repairs on malfunctioning solar‑powered boreholes.

They were cautioned that such actions could prolong outages and jeopardise the water supply.

The warning was issued during a training session on forming and strengthening Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Committees for water supply, which brought together beneficiaries from nine local governments in the Bida and Lavun regions.

During the session, Niger State VCDP Irrigation Engineer Engr. Elisha John described the water pump as the most delicate part of the borehole system and urged communities to obtain professional assistance whenever faults arise.

He warned that some repairers might replace original solar pumps with inferior parts, citing incidents in Lavun and Guzzan communities where faulty pumps stayed out of service after improper repairs.

John also urged beneficiaries to safeguard the maintenance tools supplied to them and to assume responsibility for the facilities so they remain operational after the programme concludes.

Facilitator Engr. Daniel Shaba, who instructed participants on preventive and corrective borehole maintenance, warned that inadequate sanitation around water sources could expose communities to illnesses such as cholera and diarrhoea.

He advised residents to avoid washing clothes, processing cassava or rice, and disposing of waste near boreholes, explaining that contaminants could seep into groundwater and degrade water quality.

Several beneficiaries reported that the training enhanced their knowledge of facility management.

Sheki Mohammed of Lavun said his committee would enforce proper procedures when addressing control panels, pumps, and wiring.

Fatima Jibrin of Mokwa said the training gave participants the know‑how to tackle minor issues without awaiting official intervention, while Zakari Hussani of Borgu said he learned how to maintain the facility and generate income from water sales.

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