A non-governmental organization christened Anti-Pollution Initiative has called on the Rivers State Government to declare emergency over water and sanitation in the state.

 The call was made by the President of the body, Comrade Iwo Horsfall in an exclusive chat with the Tide shortly after the World Water Day celebrations in Port Harcourt, recently.

Comrade Horsfall said since water is a basic necessity for human existence, government needs to give it special attention to make sure it is both sae and available to all citizens.

He recalled that the Dr Peter Odili administration had awarded several contracts to revitalize the provision of water in the state which never saw the light of the day.

Harping on why water provision should be treated with utmost priority, Horsfall observed that the high level of infant and maternal mortality rate witnessed in different parts of the Niger Delta cannot be dissociated from lack of potable water.

According to him, good health to a large extent, is dependent on good water to the people.

 In his words, “If you ask me what we should do, I would say a state of emergency should be declared on water provision in the state.

 Frowning at the indiscriminate digging of boreholes in different parts of the state, the NGO boss said most of the water from such boreholes are unsafe for public consumption.

He disclosed that the body has forwarded a proposal on the challenges of lack of water and the challenge is for the government to study and implement its contents.   

Comrade Horsfall also stressed the need for the public to display some level of responsibility in the wage of water even though it is a free natural resources.