Children fetching clean water from a borehole (Source: Adebayo Alabi on Unsplahs.com)
Access to clean drinking water is a basic human need, yet in Nigeria, 51% of households are deprived of this basic necessity. According to data, Taraba State has the highest percentage of households (86%) that are deprived of clean drinking water, followed by Cross River, Benue and Bayelsa (81% to 78%). On the other hand, Borno recorded the lowest percentage of households with only 9%, followed by Jigawa, Yobe and Ogun (12% to 27%).
The lack of access to clean drinking water in Nigeria is a serious issue that affects the health and well-being of millions of people. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that access to clean water is essential for good health, as it can prevent waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and diarrhoea. These diseases are particularly dangerous for children and can lead to malnutrition and stunted growth.
The situation is even more dire in rural areas, where access to clean drinking water is often limited. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), rural areas in Nigeria have only 36% access to improved water sources, compared to urban areas, which have 67% access. This disparity in access to clean water is a major contributor to the high rates of waterborne diseases in rural areas.
The lack of access to clean drinking water is also a major obstacle for economic development in Nigeria. In order for businesses to thrive, they need a reliable supply of clean water for production and consumption. Without access to clean water, businesses are forced to rely on expensive and unreliable sources, which can impede growth and development.
The Nigerian government has recognized the importance of providing access to clean drinking water and has implemented several policies and programs to address the issue. The National Water Resources Bill, aims to increase access to clean water by increasing investment in water infrastructure and promoting private sector participation in the water sector. However the bill has generated so much controversy, with some stakeholders rejecting certain provisions of the bill as "obnoxious".
Additionally, the federal government has also launched the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative, which aims to provide safe and sustainable water supply and sanitation services to rural communities.
However, despite these efforts, the situation remains dire. Many of the policies and programs that have been implemented are underfunded, and as a result, their impact has been limited. Additionally, there is a lack of coordination between different levels of government, which has resulted in a lack of progress in addressing the issue.
To truly address the lack of access to clean drinking water in Nigeria, there needs to be a concerted effort by the government, private sector, and civil society. The government needs to provide the necessary funding and resources to implement policies and programs that will increase access to clean water. The private sector also has an important role to play by investing in water infrastructure and promoting sustainable practices. And civil society organizations can raise awareness about the issue and advocate for policies and programs that will improve access to clean water.
In conclusion, access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right, yet in Nigeria, 51% of households are deprived of this basic necessity. The lack of access to clean drinking water is a serious issue that affects the health and well-being of millions of people, particularly in rural areas. The Nigerian government has recognized the importance of providing access to clean drinking water and has implemented several policies and programs to address the issue, however, the situation remains dire, and there is a need for a concerted effort by the government, private sector, and civil society to truly address this issue.