Clean Water Will Fast-Track SDG In Rivers – Toru Ofili

The special adviser to the
Rivers State Governor on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Mrs Toru Ofili, has said that the provision of clean water to every community in the state will fast track the attainment of the goals in the state.
This was contained in a press release made available to newsmen on the sideline of the just concluded 2016 World Water Day celebration in Port Harcourt.
Mrs Ofili also restated the commitment by her office to work with the Ministry of Water Resources in the achievement of the SDG Goal 6 which clean water and sanitations for all by the 2030.
According to her, the theme for this year’s celebration which is “Better Water, Better Jobs” highlight or identify how water can create paid and decent work, as well as create sustainable development and protecting the environment.
According to the release, “clean accessible water is essential for the world to live in today and the fact is that there is enough fresh water on the planet, but due to bad economics and infrastructures, millions of people including children die with diseases associated with lack of fresh water and poor sanitation”.
Mrs Ofili said that lack of good quality water and good sanitation also impacts negatively on our food production which is a major source of job creation.
“Fishermen depend on the quality of fresh water while farmer’s jobs depend on available fresh water.
“Women and children have to walk for hours every day to bring water to their homes and families.
“It is a chore which is crucial for everyday family existence yet, it is not recognised or compensated for.
“This chore is very time consuming and availability of water is guaranteed, they would have time to learn skills that would help them to find better works.
“It is the belief that enough quantity and quality of water can change workers’ lives and livelihood which will transform communities and economics”, she said.
The Special Adviser said that increase funding in clean water projects is a major task that government needs to look at to achieve the goal as well as source for partnership with international development.
“Moving forward requires action from all levels of government, civil society and the private sector in order to achieve these very challenging goals”, she said.

John Bibor