By Awyetu Asabe Hope
Residents of Kertyo community in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have raised alarm over acute water scarcity in the area, calling on the state government to urgently provide potable water.
The appeal was made during a community meeting convened to deliberate on issues affecting the growth, unity and development of the area.
Speaking to journalists in Kertyo, a lecturer at the Federal University of Lafia, Dr. Felix Upav-Saaior, said the gathering brought together Tiv indigenes resident in the state to reflect on challenges affecting their collective progress.
According to him, the meeting is a longstanding tradition aimed at reviewing issues confronting the people and charting ways to address them.
Upav-Saaior lamented that despite having a population of over 10,000 residents, the community lacks a single government-provided borehole.
“This is a community of more than 10,000 people, yet there is not even a single government borehole in Kertyo,” he said, describing the situation as a major challenge for residents.
He appealed to the Nasarawa State Government, Obi Local Government Council, non-governmental organisations and other development partners to intervene by providing clean and safe water.
Beyond water scarcity, he noted that the community is also facing security concerns linked to clashes between herders and farmers in the area.
In his remarks, the President of the Tiv Development Association (TIDA), Comrade Simeon Apusu, emphasised the importance of unity among Tiv people in Nasarawa State.
He said the association remains committed to promoting peace, mutual understanding and socio-economic development among its members.
A resident, Jor Usa, commended the leadership of the association for creating a platform that encourages dialogue and community development, urging Tiv indigenes to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
Also speaking, a former Secretary of Obi Local Government Council, Thomas Asongu, praised the organisers of the meeting and called on residents to respect constituted authorities.
The meeting also featured the inauguration of the President of the Tiv Youth Organisation (TYO), Hon. Atimism Philip, alongside other executives of the Tiv Development Association.
Participants discussed issues relating to socio-economic development, security, stakeholder collaboration and youth participation in community leadership.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by members to work collectively towards peace, unity and development of Tiv communities across Nasarawa State.
