An Islamic cleric in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, Dr. Nuruddeen Sa’ad, has criticized political leaders over what he described as their failure to address the growing problem of access to clean drinking water in the area.
Speaking during a Friday sermon, Dr. Nuruddeen said it was difficult to imagine that any of the elected leaders in Jibia would allow the same water consumed by ordinary residents to be used even for washing their official vehicles. He argued that the poor quality of water available to many residents reflects the neglect of a basic public need.
The cleric specifically mentioned the Chairman of Jibia Local Government, members of the State and National Assemblies, the Senator representing the area, and the Governor of Katsina State. He said none of them would personally accept the water being consumed daily by the people of Jibia.
Hikaya Newspaper reports that Dr. Nuruddeen lamented that despite having elected representatives at different levels of government, many residents still depend on unsafe water sources, including water collected near bridges and from ponds. He warned that leaders would be held accountable for their actions and inactions before God.
He also expressed concern over the rising cost of water in the area, stating that a single container of water now sells for about ₦1,000 in some places. According to him, the major issue is not only the cost but also the poor quality of the water available to residents.
The cleric further warned of possible public health consequences, revealing that a health worker recently informed him that cases of typhoid fever had increased significantly in recent weeks. He called on the authorities to take preventive measures before the situation develops into a major health crisis and urged the government to make better use of the local dam to provide clean and safe water for the people of Jibia.