Need For Potable Water In Rivers

Access to clean
water and sanitation facilities is a serious challenge in Nigeria.
It is worrisome that in our rural areas, only about 30 percent of the population have access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities. This results in a high prevalence of water-borne diseases which threaten the health of citizens.
The International Charity Water Aid in a report released on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 to mark this year’s World Water Day, said more than 650 million people are without access to safe, drinking water globally. India is identified as having the  highest number of 76 million persons, a problem attributed to poor management of water resources and falling levels of ground  water in New Delhi. Nearly 76 million people or five percent of India’s population are forced to buy water at high prices or use supplies that are unsafe for consumption.
Although Nigeria was not listed among the most vulnerable countries, there are clear indications that the country is facing shortage of potable water supply.  That is why the Rivers State’s plan to construct new water schemes in the local government areas of the state, is welcome and heart-warming.
According to the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr  Walter Ibiba, the state government, in addition to constructing new water schemes in the state, would rehabilitate and upgrade 10 old water schemes as well as provide water quality testing laboratories and equipment in three Senatorial Districts of the state. The government is also planning to provide hydrology and hydrogeology ground and surface water monitoring infrastructure in the state.
However, it is necessary to note that apart from the areas listed by the state government for the construction and rehabilitation of water schemes, there are many other parts of the state that are yearning for urgent attention in this regard. In fact, virtually all the communities in the state lack access to potable water. The state must therefore, review its policies on water supply and come up with a master-plan that will help communities to overcome this challenge. The state government would need to partner with community leaders, companies and other stakeholders in this regard.
It is unacceptable to note that inspite of the fact that the state government budgets and approves huge allocations for water supply on yearly basis, the rate of water supply in the state is not commensurable with the huge budgets. In fact, virtually all taps are dry in the state.
Although the present administration can not be held accountable for the present water situation in the state,  since government is a continuum, the Nyesom Wike-led government should consider the challenge as a daunting one that must be accomplished. The government may have to collaborate with foreign aid organisations like the USAID and the private sector to implement water schemes across the state. The involvement of private sector will help the government close the gaps between policies and the delivery of quality water to the people of the state.
Meanwhile, proper and adequate monitoring and inspection must be given top priority during construction of water facilities like boreholes in the state. This is to ensure that the facilities are not cited near graves, soak-away pits and waste dumping sites. In other words, the health and safety of lives must be given first priority.

Shedie Okpara