Minna, Niger State
Residents of Minna, the capital of , are increasingly turning to abandoned mining pits and unsafe water sources for drinking and domestic use following months of erratic electricity supply that has crippled public water infrastructure.
Investigations across several communities in Minna reveal a deepening water crisis, as prolonged power outages have significantly disrupted the operations of the state water board. With taps running dry for months, many households now rely on stagnant mining holes and untreated sources, raising serious public health concerns.
Community members describe the situation as both humiliating and dangerous, warning that the consumption of contaminated water exposes families—especially children—to waterborne diseases. In some affected areas, residents say they have no alternative, as private boreholes are either non-functional due to lack of power or too expensive for low-income households to access consistently.
The crisis unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing infrastructure projects championed by Governor . The administration has embarked on the construction of more than seven flyovers in Minna metropolis, alongside multiple statewide road projects. Critics, however, argue that many of these projects remain at less than 10 percent completion while basic necessities such as potable water, rural security, and human capital development receive insufficient attention.
Opposition voices and civil society actors have described the flyovers and expansive road initiatives as “white elephant projects,” alleging that they prioritize prestige over pressing social needs. They contend that governance should first address access to clean water, stable electricity, primary healthcare, education, and security before pursuing large-scale urban beautification schemes.
Security concerns also persist across parts of Niger State, with residents in several local government areas reporting rising incidents of banditry and kidnapping. Observers argue that a government’s foremost responsibility is the protection and welfare of its citizens, as enshrined in the Constitution.
The criticism has extended to the ruling (APC), with some stakeholders accusing the party of failing to implement people-centered policies that directly improve living conditions. They argue that development must be measured not by the number of flyovers constructed but by the availability of clean water in homes, functional schools, accessible healthcare, and secure communities.
As Minna residents continue to scoop water from unsafe mining pits, many are calling for an urgent policy shift—one that places basic human needs at the heart of governance rather than at the margins of political ambition.
