By Mangai Awin Salvation
Plateau State University Students have continued to lament the worsening water scarcity on campus, describing the situation as a major challenge affecting their health, academic activities, and daily survival.
The prolonged shortage of water within and around the university environment in Bokkos has forced many students to wake up as early as 5:00 a.m. in search of water, while others trek long distances or spend scarce resources buying water for cooking, bathing, and other domestic needs.
Several students who spoke on the condition expressed frustration over the poor state of water supply, noting that even the few available sources are often unclean and unsafe for consumption.
A 300-level student of the Department of Political Science, Hope James, said the water crisis has become unbearable for many students living off-campus. According to her, she frequently travels far from her residence to fetch clean water because the nearest source is contaminated and unsuitable for use.
She warned that the poor quality of water available to students poses serious health risks and may contribute to outbreaks of waterborne diseases within the university community.
“We struggle every day to get clean water. The stress is too much, and some of the water available is not even healthy for use,” she said.
James appealed to the university management, community leaders, and the Plateau State Government to urgently intervene by providing more boreholes and improving access to clean water across the campus environment.
Also speaking, Clement Mallo Bulus, a 200-level student of the Department of Computer Science, said the scarcity has disrupted his daily routine and academic schedule.
He explained that despite waking up before dawn to search for water, he still finds it difficult to get enough for his daily needs, adding that the struggle has caused him to arrive late to lectures on several occasions.
Bulus further lamented the increasing cost of buying water, describing it as an additional burden on students already facing financial difficulties.
“Sometimes I have to buy water before I can cook or even prepare for school activities. It is becoming very difficult for students to cope,” he said.
As the water shortage persists, students are calling on relevant authorities to urgently address the crisis to prevent further hardship and improve living conditions within the university community.
Many believe that providing a stable and clean water supply will not only improve students’ welfare but also create a healthier and more conducive environment for learning.
Mangai Awin Salvation is a 300Level Mass Communication student from Plateau State University,Bokkos.
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