Young people in Plateau protest severe water shortage

Youths in Mabudi, the headquarters of Langtang South Local Government Area in Plateau State, staged a protest on Wednesday over the persistent shortage of water in the community.

They warned that they could boycott future elections if the problem is not addressed urgently.

The demonstrators, numbering in the hundreds, marched through the town wearing T‑shirts printed with “No Water, No Vote” and chanting slogans to underscore their demands.

Some participants carried placards urging the immediate provision of potable water and lamented the lack of basic amenities in the area.

Speaking to The PUNCH, youth leader Mr. Nanlir Gambo said the protest was intended to draw the attention of government officials, including state and National Assembly representatives, to the pressing need for a sustainable water‑supply scheme.

“This protest is just a sign that we are serious about our demands. We won’t allow any politician to come here and deceive us again, using our needs only to abscond after election,” he said.

He described the reliance on unsafe water sources as unacceptable and noted that the recurring shortage places a heavy burden on households, especially women and children who must travel long distances to fetch water.

Gambo emphasized that the youths are united in demanding swift government intervention.

Protesters. Photo: James Abraham

The Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Langtang South LGA, Mr. Butko Iliya, said the council has already implemented temporary measures to alleviate the crisis.

He explained that Council Chairman Nanfa Nbin has been supplying water by tanker since the start of the dry season, delivering at least one tanker daily to each village.

Iliya added that the council has also received directives from the Plateau State government to intensify efforts to resolve the water shortage.

The Plateau State Ministry of Water Resources and Energy has launched both immediate and long‑term actions to address the situation in the local government.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Lohnan V. Gambo, led a high‑powered delegation to the area after the council chairman appealed to Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.

Gambo, who visited Langtang South on Tuesday, said the governor instructed the ministry to implement urgent measures while developing sustainable solutions, noting that a comprehensive geophysical survey has already begun in Mabudi and surrounding communities.

He assured residents that the government is committed to delivering a lasting solution to the water challenge.

Receiving the delegation on behalf of the chairman, Council Secretary Nanman Domtau expressed gratitude for the swift response and pledged the council’s full support.

Chief Ringjul Dashe, the Galadima of Mabudi, emphasized that water is essential to life and praised the government for its prompt action to address the people’s plight.

According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, Nigeria is confronting a severe water crisis, with an estimated 179 million people lacking access to safely managed drinking water despite the country’s abundant water resources.

As of 2026, roughly 60–70 million Nigerians lack basic water services, while 114 million lack basic sanitation. The crisis contributes to more than 70 000