Vendors and buyers in Kantoma Market in Billiri local government of Gombe state have lamented inadequate toilets and lack of water supply in the market, making it difficult for people to ease themselves during market hours.
Both marketers and visitors told WikkiTimes that they find it very inconvenient to urinate and defecate during the market day.
The lack of water and enough toilet facilities in the market have compelled some people to use open places for defecation and urination, posing a serious health hazard to the people.
Mubarak Yakubu, a regular customer at the market who spoke to WikkiTimes said “I never knew there was a toilet here. Whenever I come to this market and need to use the restroom, I just look for a secluded spot where there aren’t many people and relieve myself.”
He said that the inconvenience of having to buy sachet water to use to cleanse himself after urinating in the market due to unavailability of a borehole compounded the problem.
“I grew up in Billiri and have always shopped at Kantoma Markert, but the lack of water in the market is making it inconvenient for us not to talk of visitors,” he added.
Usman Isah, a tailor in the market who spent many years there said, “I have been in Kantoma for almost 20years now and throughout this time, we have no access to water. We have no choice than to buy water whenever we want to perform ablution or drink while at the market.”
Mujahid Sani, a restroom fees collector said they charge 100 naira for bathing and 20 naira for urination from the users of their restroom in the market.
He added that lack of water in the area is making their business hard as they have to transport water on a daily basis from elsewhere.
The Chairman of the Market, Malam Abubakar Audu, in an interview with WikkiTimes, noted that the absence of enough toilet and borehole in the market is causing a lot of inconvenience for them.
“We used to have four toilets, but they collapsed. Later, someone hired the place and renovated it. Now it is a commercial restroom.” Abubakar added.
He added that Kantoma hosts hundreds of visitors every day which is why it is important for stakeholders and the government to intervene to address the challenge as the existing facilities are grossly inadequate.