Nigeria: 'More Nigerians Need Access to Potable Water'

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Nigeria: 'More Nigerians Need Access to Potable Water'

The Lagos State Chapter Coordinator, Network of Civil Society Organisations on Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), Adenigba Oluwarotimi, has pleaded with the authorities at the federal, states and local governments levels across the country to rise up to the increasing challenge facing Nigerians in the areas of water and sanitation.

Oluwarotimi said the plea has become necessary in view of the unparalleled significance of potable water to human life in an environment that is devoid of filth.

Coordinator of NEWSAN, who was speaking on the annual theme for World Water Day, "Water and Energy", in Lagos, noted that the organisation, which has been at the frontline of advocacy for clean water for Nigerians, finds it appalling that millions of Nigerians lack access to clean water for domestic use.

He said the goal of marking the Water Day was to "encourage increased awareness among decision makers inside and outside water and energy domains, as well as stakeholders and practitioners about the inter-linkages, potentials and trade-offs inherent in clean water."

He observed that water and energy are two inseparable elements saying, "Water is required to produce energy and energy is needed for the extraction, treatment and distribution of water as well as its collection and treatment after use."

Churning out staggering figures, the coordinator lamented that only 40 per cent of Nigerians have access to electricity while only 60 per cent of the population have access to safe drinking water.

While calling on governments to improve the social welfare services of the citizens, he also asked Nigerians to maintain a good hygiene by ensuring that their environment is maintained through regular cleaning.

Quoting United Nations report, he said, "By year 2030, the world might be hit to about 40 per cent higher than the present water predicament if drastic measures are not taken to reduce the rate of water loss and inventing new technologies that will consume or/and withdraw little water.

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