Drought-Stricken Regions Beyond the Riverbank: The Tale of Bekwarra, Cross River
Cross River, one of Nigeria's lushest states, boasts rain forests, rivers, and grassland vegetation. However, a pressing issue looms over its landscape – the lack of potable water. This scarcity has far-reaching implications on various aspects of life, including health, education, agriculture, and gender equality.
In the heart of Cross River, Bekwarra Local Government Area (LGA) stands as a testament to this struggle. Many families here rely on shallow wells, murky streams, and rainwater collection for survival. For 56-year-old Ms Lydia Johnson, a mother of seven in Gakem, the journey to fetch water starts before sunrise.
The consequences of this water crisis are stark. High child mortality linked to waterborne diseases has been reported by health workers in Cross River. The water often fetched is unsafe, and cases of typhoid, cholera, and skin infections are common at local health centres.
Efforts to solve the water crisis in Bekwarra LGA have been unsuccessful, with broken promises and half-hearted attempts. In 2016, a borehole project was inaugurated in Otukpru-Bekwarra, but it only functioned for six months before the pump broke down and was never repaired. In 2021, a Cross River House of Assembly member initiated a water reticulation project for five communities, but no household has received water from the pipes.
The main issue in Bekwarra LGA is the lack of access to clean and potable water. This is not just a local concern; Cross River is listed by a recent WaterAid Nigeria report as one of the states with the lowest rural water supply coverage.
Policy analysts suggest that the road to change in the water crisis must begin with honest governance, committed investment, and community-managed water schemes with trained local technicians. Solar-powered boreholes and transparent monitoring of water project budgets should be key elements of rural development plans.
Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River State recently signed nine bills into law, including the Cross River Water Supply and Sanitation Law No. 5, 2025, which guarantees citizens' access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services. However, the success of these laws hinges on their implementation.
International development partners and NGOs can play a role in addressing the water crisis, but long-term solutions must come from within – strong resolve by the state government and responsible local leadership. The future of Cross River's people depends on it.
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