Evaluation of water supply system Case study in Naka ... - ENGEES

Evaluation of water supply system – Case study in Naka, Nigeria4 Further presentation of the community of Naka, betweenurban and ruralA further description of the community of Naka is needed to draw a quick image ofthe case study context, between rural and urban environment. In fact, Naka, a smalltown of Nigeria, fits in-between this partition, rather than really match one of thesecategories. It is more the profile of a village in its transition to become a city.Box 3: Urban and rural characteristics in NigeriaUrbanRuralHigh density, >25 000 inhabitants Smaller population, lower densityServices: health centre, water & electricity No servicesBig market place, permanent shops Small markets, standsActivities: commerce, industryMajority farming activityHigh communication levelLimited communication with other placesDesserved by main roadsRemote areasTradition chiefs have lower influence Traditional chiefs with some influenceNB: These information have been gathered through discussions with Nigerians about their perceptionbetween rural and urban places in their country; further studies need to be done as this was in Benue Statebut may be different in other places, as the North of Nigeria.(Sources: observation in Nigeria, discussions with Nigerians)Naka is a small town located in Benue State, 40 km from Makurdi, capital of the state.By the Nigerian national standard a small town represents between 20,000 and 25,000inhabitants. The Ministry for Water Resources and Environment of BESG estimatesthe population at 18,000. The census is currently going on but as the results won’t beavailable before end 2006, only an approximation is possible, taken in this reportequal to 20,000.The population mostly belongs to the Tiv tribe with minorities such as Igbo, Idoma,Igala, and other tribes. They are mainly Christian and religion is taking a great part intheir life, as in all the country. The main activities are farming (cassava, yam, groundnuts, maize and guinea corn mainly), commerce in the market place of the town aswell as saw mill and fuel station activities.Cranfield University at Silsoe 16 Florianne Bourrigault (2006)