WWD: Expert Blames Poor Maintenance Culture, Hardship For Inadequate Access To Clean, Safe Water

Lack of access to clean and safe water among Nigerian masses, especially the middle class has been attributed to lack of maintenance culture and economic hardship among the people.

A Development and Water Resources Expert, Engr. Michael Ale, who stated this also called on government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to provide funding and technical assistance to ensure efficient operation of water infrastructure in the country.

Ale, who is also the Co-founder and President of the Safe Water for Africa Community Initiative (SWACI), recommended urgent massive investment in the water sector by government as the elixir to the problem

He stated these during a chat with newsmen where 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 and ₦2.6 million, a sum far beyond the means of many Nigerians living in poverty,” Ale said.

He also highlighted the frequent breakdown of borehole infrastructure as one of the factors hindering access to safe and clean water by the less privileged in Nigeria.

“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”, Ale stated.

The SWACI President who emphasised the need for innovative and sustainable approaches to water management, said one of such initiatives is the Borehole Management System Software (BAMS), a digital platform designed to help borehole operators manage their water sources more efficiently, reducing operational costs and improving access to clean water.

“Governments should focus on reviving and maintaining existing boreholes rather than investing in new ones that might also become neglected,” Ale stated.

He further revealed that SWACI, in collaboration with other organisations, has developed solutions to address these infrastructural challenges and improve water accessibility in Nigeria.

“The introduction of BAMS, along with other innovative solutions like the Project Outcome Validation Aggregator (POVA), requires robust support from private investors, government bodies, NGOs, volunteers, and water associations.

“These stakeholders must step up efforts to ensure efficient water management, particularly in underserved communities”, he added.

While stressing that the role of government agencies and NGOs in resolving Nigeria’s water crisis, he stressed, “They must collaborate to provide financial and technical support to communities and borehole operators to guarantee a sustainable supply of clean water.

“As we reflect on the significance of World Water Day, it is essential to recognise that water is first a social good before being an economic commodity. Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that this right is upheld for every Nigerians, regardless of economic status”, Ale charged.