A development and water resources expert, Engr Michael Ale, has attributed the lack of access to clean and safe water among Nigerian masses to poor maintenance culture and economic hardship.
Ale, who stated this during an interactive session with journalists, called on government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to provide funding and technical assistance to ensure the efficient operation of water infrastructure in the country.
The co-founder and president of the Safe Water for Africa Community Initiative (SWACI), recommended urgent massive investment in the water sector by the government as the elixir to the problem.
He highlighted numerous challenges facing poor Nigerians in accessing clean and safe water to mark this year’s World Water Day.
“As the world commemorates World Water Day, the harsh reality for millions of Nigerians comes to the forefront – clean and safe water remains a privilege accessible only to the wealthy, while the poor continue to struggle with inadequate access to this fundamental human right.
“One of the primary obstacles is the exorbitant cost of drilling boreholes, which in many communities, is the only reliable source of clean water.
“The cost of drilling a borehole ranges between ₦1.5 million to ₦2.6 million, a sum far beyond the means of many Nigerians living in poverty.
“Another critical issue is the frequent breakdown of borehole infrastructure. Many community boreholes, often donated by the government, groups, philanthropists, or politicians, become non-functional shortly after commissioning due to poor maintenance.
“Additionally, government-owned water treatment plants and pipelines are in a state of disrepair, forcing millions to rely on expensive or contaminated water sources. This has led to the rampant spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, clear indicators of developmental stagnation due to inadequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities,” he stated.
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