For centuries, Njaba River has been the major source household water supply during dry season to Akah people. The process of getting the water from the river had been not an easy task for any Akah son or daughter that took part in the daily exercise during the dry season. Some of us that heavily participated in the water fetching exercise were complaining that we could have been a bit taller if not the heavy gallons of water that we carried on our heads at that young age, while ascending through the hills and valleys of Njaba River. Though most of us did it with all pleasure as we used the opportunity to swim in the river and also search for various exotic fruits that could only be find along the banks of the river.
Besides the difficulties involved in getting the water from the river, the quality of the water has not been how it used to be. Due to the damages done to the river by various companies that collect sands and gravel from it, made it not to be good for immediate consumption. In addition, the impact of Amucha erosion is making the river to be shallow and dirty. There has been symptoms of pollution in the river. Moreover, many Akah sons and daughters have been involved in various accidents while on their way to fetch water from the river, of which some of them were fatal.
As a result of these, Akah people began the quest for alternative source of household water supply. As far back as in the 60's, Akah people had been seeking for government assistance in the provision of alternative water supply (pipe-borne water), they end up getting one fake promise after another, even when Late Afam Agams was a Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health in the early 1960's.
However, nothing was done until 1982 when Mr Herbert Dikeocha was in the State House of Representative. The federal government granted the development of a bore- hole behind St.Mary's church, along Community Hospital road. The development of the bore-hole raised much hope to the people of Umuaka, but it later ended like other elephant projects. The structures were built and the generators were put in place but the water was never distributed beyond the construction site of the bore-hole. Akah people waited, hoping and wishing that the plant would be operational and pipe-lines would be distributed, but nothing happened until date. At the moment the structures and the generating plant are completely out of order.
Recently, some new water station were built in Akahland. One is sited at the Njaba South Development centre, near Afor market. There is another water station at Ugbele, very close to National School. There is also a water station at Umuele. Some of these station are operational, but the people can only enjoy it more when pipe-lines are distributed from the water stations to the proximity of their homes. This could cost many more hard resources to accomplish.
However, more assistance is needed from the government or any relevant organization both local and international to relief Akah people from their difficulties in getting adequate house-hold water supply. We encourage every Akah son and daughter where ever they are, home or abroad, to advertise this need to any government body or organization that could be of great assistance in meeting this essential need of our people.
