"Our Struggle is Over": Bauchi South Communities Celebrate New Solar Boreholes

By Khalid Idris Doya

Bauchi, Nigeria — January 9, 2026(Series news online)

Celebrations have erupted across seven Local Government Areas in Bauchi South as the commissioning of 40 new solar-powered boreholes has brought an end to a long-standing water crisis. For many residents, access to clean water is a life-altering development, easing a daily struggle that impacted health, hygiene, and even basic meals.

The hardship was a daily reality for many. One resident, Ibrahim Muhammad, a meat seller, described how the lack of water affected his livelihood and community hygiene. Another, Malam Aminu Ado of Tirwun, expressed the community's profound relief: "For a long time, we did not see water flowing from any tap. Today, with the senator's intervention, our struggle for clean water is over." This struggle is common in the region, where women and girls, in particular, often bear the burden of traveling long distances to find water, a challenge highlighted by organizations like WaterAid Nigeria in their own projects in Bauchi.

Series news online reports that the project, a fulfillment of a campaign promise by Senator Shehu Buba Umar, was strategically distributed based on population density, with Bauchi LGA receiving 15 boreholes, Toro getting seven, and Alkaleri, Kirfi, and Tafawa Balewa four each. Dass and Bogoro LGAs each received three. This initiative is part of a wider push for better water access in the state, with various NGOs and companies also contributing to installing similar solar-powered water solutions.

During his campaign, Senator Buba visited most of the district's wards and noted that water scarcity was a primary concern. "Access to clean water is a basic necessity," Senator Shehu Buba Umar stated at the commissioning ceremony. "I am committed to ensuring that every community in Bauchi South benefits from projects that promote health and development." His efforts have been praised by constituents, who see him as addressing long-missed needs for infrastructure and development.

Community leaders have lauded the intervention, with Alhaji Aminu Muhammad Danmaliki commending the senator's commitment and noting the project will significantly improve quality of life. Grateful residents have pledged to maintain the new facilities, ensuring their long-term sustainability, a key component for the success of such water projects.