Local residents of Moreguina rural township in the Cloudy Bay Local Level Government (LLG) in Abau district in Central province have resorted to the main river system in the area as taps run dry.

There is no clean water system, and this has increased health risks amongst communities using the main river system, according to ward councilor Mr. Willie Jairus.

Mr. Jairus said local residents and nearby communities have been using the main river system for the last four months for cooking and drinking.

He said water tanks in all household units have dried up, and the situation is more distressful as the river (More wara) level continues to drop from the prolonged El Nino induced drought.

He said several waterborne illnesses have been reported at the Moreguina health center. Health risk is a major concern currently.

"The river system is contaminated as the level of the river continues to drop at a significant rate. Also, food gardens are drying up and even burnt by fire threatening food security in the area.

He said the situation is threatening as people have limited access to clean water and garden food to sustain their livelihood. 

"I am now calling on the Abau district administration, the Central Province administration and relevant stakeholders to find an amicable solution to our dilemma."